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The
financial website MoneyGeek analyzed a wide array of statistics,
from health outcomes, to health access and cost to determine how
states rank in terms of health care.
MoneyGeek also consulted health industry experts to understand
some of the potential choices states are making to affect their
local health care systems for better or worse.
The report ranked Illinois as the 11th best state for health
care with a score of 80.8.
“Illinois ranked 17th for outcomes, 21st for costs and 16th for
access,” researcher Doug Milnz said.
Illinois recently dispersed $49 million in federal funding for
health care programs and initiatives around the state. Officials
said the money will be used in a wide range of programs that aim
to keep Illinoisans healthy.
The report said the top three states for health care were Hawaii
(99), Iowa (95.4), and Colorado (91.6).
States that fare worse on MoneyGeek’s health care rankings tend
to have higher costs for less access and higher rates of medical
conditions like diabetes and obesity. The worst states for
health care are concentrated regionally, with 8 of the 10
clustered in the South and Southeast.
The report said West Virginia has the worst health care in the
nation. Though West Virginia ranks No. 6 for accessibility, it
has the worst health outcomes in the country and the highest
average private health insurance premiums in the U.S. at $8,546,
with 48% of its population on public health care.
Kevin Bessler reports on statewide issues in Illinois for the
Center Square. He has over 30 years of experience in radio news
reporting throughout the Midwest. |
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