Summary

Published Date: December 22, 2014

This biennial report uses data from the 2011–2012 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) to paint a comprehensive picture of health insurance trends, health access, and health coverage status for California's 37.7 million residents.

Findings: Despite continuing job growth, employer-provided health benefits continued to erode for many Californians. The data also show continued lack of health access to and use of medical services by adult Latinos in the state. Public health programs provided a greater share of safety-net coverage for the state's residents, particularly children.

Specifically, the authors found that nearly half (47.4%) the 6.9 million people still uninsured in 2011–2012 were in families with a full-time worker. Latinos had the highest levels of uninsurance, 28.4%, and lowest share of employer-based insurance, 33.9%. The share of young children covered by Medi-Cal or Healthy Families grew from 32.8% in 2009 to 40.3% in 2012.

The report was published with funding from The California Endowment and The California Wellness Foundation.