About three-quarters of a million Coloradans, or around 17 percent of the population, report having no health insurance. Those Coloradans at highest risk for being uninsured include: People living below 200 percent of the federal poverty level, young adults, Hispanics, people who work for small firms and individuals with lower educational attainment.
Research demonstrates that being uninsured compromises access to health care services, results in delays in needed care and increases risks for adverse health outcomes. As the number of uninsured grow in Colorado, it calls into question the extent to which the health care "safety net" can absorb the volume.
For these reasons, CHI continues to monitor the uninsured and report findings through periodic reports.