NJ Spotlight’s Interactive Map: Health Insurance Coverage

Earlier this week, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on the groundbreaking national signed by President Obama in 2010. Many provisions have already taken effect. The most wide-reaching and controversial aspect, requiring most people to buy basic insurance, is set to become effective January 1, 2014.

The law’s impact will be felt in New Jersey, where 14.4 percent of people under age 65 -- senior citizens are covered by Medicare -- had no health insurance in 2009, the most recent year for which statistics were available, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The percentage of those uninsured more than doubles, to nearly 3 in 10, for those with incomes at or below 200 percent of the poverty level, or $21,700 for an individual.

The rate of those insured also varies widely by county with, not surprisingly, wealthier counties having higher rates of insured residents. In Essex County, 81.2 percent of residents had health insurance.

NJ Spotlight’s map is here. Click on a county to see its overall health insurance coverage rate, as well as the rates for different incomes.

See the full story @ NJ Spotlight: Healthcare. NJ Spotlight is an online news service providing insight and information on issues critical to New Jersey.