The U.S. health care system faced new levels of scrutiny in the past year amid the COVID-19 pandemic. There were shortages of medical masks, ICU beds, as well as nurses. But even before the pandemic, some states were much better equipped to handle both everyday health needs — and the pandemic — than others.
There are many states in which residents are much more likely to lack health care insurance. In many of these states, there are also fewer medical professionals relative to the population, which can hinder access to care, as well as underfunded medical hospitals.
The health care system in Nevada ranks as the fifth worst in the country.
Nevada ranks among the states with the worst health care system in part due to low government spending on health care and hospitals as well as one of the highest uninsured rates in the U.S.
Though the number of mental health providers and dentists per capita in Nevada are slightly lower than the national figure, the concentration of primary care doctors is significantly lower. There are 58.4 doctors per 100,000 state residents, the third lowest rate in the country, and compared to 75.8 doctors per 100,000 people nationwide.
Nevada’s premature death rate, child mortality rate, and share of adults in poor or fair health are all above the U.S. averages. The share of adults with unmet mental health needs is the third highest, at 28.6%.
To identify the states with the worst health care systems, 24/7 Wall St. constructed an index comprising six health measures for each state: the share of residents without health insurance, state spending on health care as well as on hospitals per capita, and the number of dentists, doctors, and mental health providers per 100,000 people. Each of these measures was weighted equally in the index. These are the 25 states with the worst health care system
| Rank | State | Uninsured rate | Adults in poor or fair health | Premium contribution, single coverage | State spending on health care per capita |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | Wyoming | 12.3% | 15.3% | $96.25 | $513 |
| 24 | Delaware | 6.6% | 16.3% | $127.92 | $480 |
| 23 | Montana | 8.3% | 14.1% | $93.50 | $167 |
| 22 | Missouri | 10.0% | 19.5% | $109.83 | $332 |
| 21 | Nebraska | 8.3% | 13.8% | $112.58 | $151 |
| 20 | Illinois | 7.4% | 15.9% | $115.17 | $97 |
| 19 | Kentucky | 6.4% | 21.8% | $121.08 | $98 |
| 18 | North Dakota | 6.9% | 13.6% | $98.50 | $188 |
| 17 | South Carolina | 10.8% | 17.8% | $111.58 | $247 |
| 16 | North Carolina | 11.3% | 18.0% | $115.92 | $164 |
| 15 | West Virginia | 6.7% | 23.6% | $113.08 | $160 |
| 14 | Oklahoma | 14.3% | 20.9% | $115.25 | $223 |
| 13 | South Dakota | 10.2% | 13.4% | $120.17 | $178 |
| 12 | Louisiana | 8.9% | 21.4% | $122.08 | $101 |
| 11 | Alabama | 9.7% | 21.4% | $132.75 | $117 |
| 10 | Arkansas | 9.1% | 23.3% | $104.42 | $58 |
| 9 | Florida | 13.2% | 19.5% | $120.17 | $225 |
| 8 | Idaho | 10.8% | 15.1% | $73.08 | $104 |
| 7 | Tennessee | 10.1% | 21.2% | $119.25 | $111 |
| 6 | Indiana | 8.7% | 18.2% | $121.67 | $90 |
| 5 | Nevada | 11.4% | 19.1% | $104.58 | $93 |
| 4 | Mississippi | 13.0% | 22.1% | $109.08 | $133 |
| 3 | Arizona | 11.3% | 18.6% | $126.92 | $81 |
| 2 | Georgia | 13.4% | 18.4% | $108.25 | $119 |
| 1 | Texas | 18.4% | 18.7% | $112.92 | $109 |
Sponsored: Want to Retire Early? Start Here
Want retirement to come a few years earlier than you’d planned? Orare you ready to retire now, but want an extra set of eyes on your finances?
Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help you build your plan to retire early. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.
Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Editors' Picks
