L.A. lags state in health coverage

Badly. Nearly 30 percent of county residents lacked health insurance for at least a portion of 2009, according to a study by UCLA's Center for Health Policy Research. That's 2.7 million non-elderly adults and children. By contrast, Santa Clara was at 19.5 percent; OC 23.3 percent, SF 17.2 percent, and Fresno 24.4 percent. The statewide average was a little over 24 percent. Perhaps more notable is L.A.'s low percentage of job-based coverage: 43.3 percent. In Contra Costa, it's 62.4 percent. Of course, the comparison is not all that valid - L.A.'s economy is diversified, unwieldy, and largely non-corporate. Many transactions are in cash, and employment is often lacking in benefits. That doesn't excuse the troubling numbers, but it does offer a little context.


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Mark Lacter
Mark Lacter created the LA Biz Observed blog in 2006. He posted until the day before his death on Nov. 13, 2013.
 
Mark Lacter, business writer and editor was 59
The multi-talented Mark Lacter
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