Uninsured workers are a diverse group that include people who cannot afford private health insurance; who work in small businesses that do not offer insurance; a very small group who simply choose not to purchase health insurance even though they can afford it; others who are eligible but not enrolled in government sponsored programs such as Medicaid, Medicare or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP); and recent immigrants.

Medicaid is jointly funded by the states and federal government but is managed by the state and provides for health care services to low-income families, persons with certain disabilities and resident aliens. CHIP insures the children of working families who cannot afford private health insurance but earn too much to qualify for Medicaid. Medicare is a health insurance program for people age 65 or older, people under 65 year of age with certain disabilities, and people of all ages with end stage renal disease.

Right now, about 370,000 people in Bexar County (of whom 103,995 are children) work for a company that does not provide medical insurance and do not qualify for a government insurance program. If you work for one of these organizations, we want you to know that many in our community understand your needs and are working hard to provide the help you need.

No one should be penalized because of the company for whom they work. Small business owners are the backbone of our economy and the American dream. Because of high insurance rates, most cannot afford to provide their employees with medical coverage. We also believe that hard work and responsibility should be rewarded, not punished.

Some small business workers who may not have medical insurance include:

• Childcare providers
• Dry cleaner workers
• Beauticians
• Home health aides
• Hotel/motel employees
• Clergy and missionaries
• Restaurant/fast food employees
• Retail store employees
• Construction workers
• Lawn care workers
• Self-Employed
• Automotive repair workers