Number: RL34596
Title: Health Insurance Coverage of People Aged 55 to 64
Authors: Chris L. Peterson, Domestic Social Policy Division 
Abstract: Approximately 4.1 million adults between the ages of 55 and 64 were estimated to be without health insurance in 2006, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's Current Population Survey (CPS). This amounts to approximately one out of eight (12.7%) of these "near elderly" adults. Excluding the elderly, nearly all of whom are enrolled in Medicare, the near elderly have the lowest percentage of uninsurance of any adult age group. Yet, uninsurance can have more severe consequences for the near elderly, considering their increased needs for health care and asset protection. To explore these and other issues, this report describes the health insurance, health, and health care spending of the near elderly, particularly as compared with other nonelderly (under age 65) adults. Unless specified otherwise, all comparisons in this report are among nonelderly adults aged 25 to 64.
Pages: 13
Date: July 28, 2008