15 Key Facts from Kaiser Family Foundation State Health Facts

Introduction:

The Kaiser Family Foundation State Health Facts database is a valuable resource that provides a wealth of information about health care in the United States. With data on a wide range of topics, from health insurance coverage to Medicaid spending, the State Health Facts database offers a comprehensive look at the state of healthcare in our country. In this article, we will highlight 15 key facts from the Kaiser Family Foundation State Health Facts that shed light on various aspects of our healthcare system.

Fact 1: Health Insurance Coverage

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, as of 2019, approximately 8.3% of the US population, or 27.5 million people, were uninsured.

Fact 2: Medicaid Enrollment

In 2019, Medicaid provided health coverage for over 72.5 million low-income Americans.

Fact 3: Medicare Beneficiaries

As of 2020, there were over 62 million Americans enrolled in Medicare, the federal health insurance program for people aged 65 and older.

Fact 4: Health Care Expenditures

In 2018, total national health expenditures in the United States reached $3.6 trillion, accounting for 17.7% of the GDP.

Fact 5: Health Care Workforce

As of 2019, there were over 18 million healthcare practitioners and technical occupations in the US.

Fact 6: Hospital Beds

In 2019, there were approximately 924,100 staffed hospital beds in the United States.

Fact 7: Preventive Services

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, as of 2018, only 32.4% of adults in the US received all recommended clinical preventive services.

Fact 8: Prescription Drugs

In 2019, retail prescription drug spending in the US totaled $335 billion.

Fact 9: Mental Health Care

Approximately 1 in 5 adults in the US experienced mental illness in 2019, according to the State Health Facts database.

Fact 10: Substance Abuse Treatment

As of 2019, only 11.2% of adults with substance use disorder received treatment.

Fact 11: Children’s Health Coverage

In 2019, about 5.7 million children in the US were uninsured.

Fact 12: Hospital Quality

About 4,583 hospitals in the US received an overall star rating of 3 or higher out of 5, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services data.

Fact 13: Health Disparities

Racial and ethnic minorities continue to experience disparities in health care access and quality, according to the State Health Facts database.

Fact 14: Health Care Costs

Out-of-pocket spending on health care in the US reached $406 billion in 2018.

Fact 15: Health Care Coverage by State

As of 2019, Massachusetts had the lowest uninsured rate in the US at 3.0%, while Texas had the highest uninsured rate at 18.4%.

Conclusion

The Kaiser Family Foundation State Health Facts database provides valuable insights into the state of healthcare in the United States. From health insurance coverage to healthcare expenditures, the data highlights key challenges and opportunities in our healthcare system. By understanding these 15 key facts, we can work towards improving access to quality, affordable healthcare for all Americans.