The affordability of health insurance has become a very slippery slope; the kind that bloats monthly premiums on popular health plans, thanks in part because of the ongoing debate over several provisions of the Affordable Care Act. Health premiums get thrown off when the political landscape becomes so divided and uncertain. With that in mind, all states have their own approach to health premiums, some good while others bad.
After having assessed over 40 indicators of access to health care delivery, its efficiency, and outcomes, researchers have found that health outcomes have worsened. Let’s discuss some of the worst and best states for health care under the current ecosystem.
The following six states are being compared in this list: Arkansas, Oklahoma, Utah, Mississippi, Vermont, and Hawaii. However, the indicators will be compared against all states.
Arkansas – 3rd Worst
Arkansas places as the 3rd on this list because on this list because it lost four positions on avoidable hospital use and cost to 38th, lost one position on healthy lives to drop to 49th place and fell from to 39th on disparity.
Oklahoma – 2nd Worst
Oklahoma lost two positions by dropping to 48th place for access and affordability. It fell 5 positions for prevention and treatment at number 44. It retained its 45th place for avoidable hospital use and 4th place for healthy lives. It fell by 5 steps to 50th place on disparity.
Mississippi – The Worst
Mississippi is currently considered the worst state for health care. It is odd to note that it was at 51st before but managed to lose even more ground this time around by dropping 2 slots in access and affordability to rank at 50th place. It lost 6 positions in prevention and treatment, to rank at 50th place. It fell two positions to rank 51st on avoidable hospital use and cost. It retained the original 50th place for healthy lives and lost five positions on disparity to rank 43rd place. The lack of Medicaid expansion and the worst mortality rates contribute to Mississippi’s overall poor ranking.
Utah – 3rd Best
Utah is at number 3 despite not making much progress. It fell 6 places to rank 32nd in the country for access and affordability. On prevention and treatment, it lost 7 places to rank 21st. The good thing to take from this is its first position for healthy lives, second place for avoidable hospital use and cost and third for the disparity.
Vermont – 2nd Best
Vermont is the 2nd best on our list because it lost only one position on access and affordability. It climbed from 9th place to 8th place on prevention and treatment. It managed to improve one place avoidable hospital use and cost to 13th position. It’s most noticeable drop was a loss of 12 places on disparity, dropping to 15th place.
Hawaii – Best Overall
Hawaii ranks as the best state in the United States when it comes to health care. It rose two positions for access and affordability, placing first. It places first for avoidable hospital use and cost, and first for the disparity. It did lose position when it comes to adults having age-appropriate vaccines and employee health insurance contributions. Hawaii has also adopted Medicaid expansion, a factor that was weighed in when contributing to its overall ranking.
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