Less than half of all Hispanic Americans and about half of black Americans were covered by private health insurance, compared to three quarters of whites. In contrast only 12 percent of whites were without insurance. Among those under 65, 82.1 percent of Americans had public or private insurance coverage. Among adults under 65, married persons were more likely to have health insurance. Nationwide, the employee contribution rate has not changed significantly from 1996 through 1998.
Employers continue to share premium costs with their employees at the same level.
In every State, establishments in large firms were more likely to offer health insurance than those in small firms. Differences in offer rates between States are driven primarily by the small firms in those States. Establishments in Alaska, Idaho, Wyoming, Arkansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Louisiana, New Mexico and Texas were less likely to offer insurance to their employees. Approximately 68 percent of establishments in the Nation that offer insurance, offer only one plan. Establishments in California and Hawaii are most likely to offer workers a choice of plans.