By Erica Thomas, managing editor
MONTGOMERY — The state of Alabama is ranked 40, in a new study by Wallet Hub, which ranked states giving the most support to citizens during the coronavirus pandemic. The report seeks to examine how states care for people who are at risk health-wise and financially.
Massachusetts ranked number one, with a score of 69.94. Alabama scored a 25.61. Scores were tallied by using 17 key metrics, which are listed below the full list of rankings.
Gov. Kay Ivey has been giving some updates on the state’s efforts. On Tuesday, April 28, Ivey announced relaxed relations in what she has dubbed the “Safer at Home” order, which takes effect at 5 p.m. on Thursday and expires May 15, 2020.
North Carolina ranked last in the study. Wallet Hub said factors contributing to the low score include the state’s high rate of residents without health insurance, among other issues.
“North Carolina also lags behind other states in adopting online healthcare technology, and it has the lowest percentage of all unemployed people receiving unemployment insurance in the country,” said Jill Gonzalez, WalletHub analyst.
States Offering the Most Support During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Overall Rank | State | Total Score | ‘Coronavirus Relief & Medical Services’ Rank | ‘Food and Housing Assistance’ Rank | ‘Unemployment Support’ Rank |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Massachusetts | 69.94 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
2 | District of Columbia | 59.36 | 2 | 1 | 43 |
3 | Rhode Island | 55.99 | 5 | 11 | 16 |
4 | Maine | 54.68 | 3 | 19 | 17 |
5 | North Dakota | 52.02 | 14 | 7 | 5 |
6 | New Mexico | 50.23 | 7 | 14 | 23 |
7 | Vermont | 50.22 | 17 | 3 | 7 |
8 | Colorado | 49.96 | 4 | 44 | 24 |
9 | Kentucky | 49.48 | 8 | 21 | 21 |
10 | Minnesota | 48.09 | 12 | 39 | 4 |
11 | Maryland | 46.33 | 6 | 33 | 32 |
12 | New York | 45.65 | 9 | 12 | 35 |
13 | Washington | 45.30 | 10 | 45 | 12 |
14 | Hawaii | 41.81 | 16 | 50 | 6 |
15 | Oregon | 41.67 | 18 | 37 | 11 |
16 | Wyoming | 41.15 | 21 | 26 | 13 |
17 | Connecticut | 41.07 | 22 | 13 | 10 |
18 | Nevada | 40.14 | 15 | 46 | 20 |
19 | New Jersey | 39.54 | 27 | 31 | 2 |
20 | Louisiana | 38.82 | 11 | 8 | 51 |
21 | Michigan | 37.67 | 26 | 5 | 28 |
22 | Delaware | 37.53 | 19 | 15 | 36 |
23 | Montana | 37.04 | 35 | 23 | 9 |
24 | Oklahoma | 36.68 | 23 | 36 | 14 |
25 | California | 35.48 | 13 | 51 | 31 |
26 | West Virginia | 35.47 | 25 | 10 | 34 |
27 | Iowa | 35.10 | 44 | 25 | 1 |
28 | Utah | 34.96 | 29 | 28 | 19 |
29 | Pennsylvania | 34.73 | 42 | 18 | 8 |
30 | Alaska | 33.23 | 20 | 16 | 45 |
31 | Illinois | 32.84 | 30 | 27 | 29 |
32 | South Dakota | 32.66 | 33 | 17 | 25 |
33 | Arkansas | 32.03 | 24 | 30 | 33 |
34 | Nebraska | 32.01 | 34 | 20 | 30 |
35 | Ohio | 30.53 | 46 | 6 | 27 |
36 | Missouri | 30.52 | 38 | 4 | 37 |
37 | New Hampshire | 30.51 | 28 | 9 | 44 |
38 | Idaho | 29.73 | 37 | 48 | 15 |
39 | Kansas | 29.64 | 40 | 32 | 22 |
40 | Alabama | 25.61 | 39 | 22 | 42 |
41 | Wisconsin | 25.00 | 50 | 24 | 25 |
42 | Texas | 24.75 | 51 | 42 | 18 |
43 | Tennessee | 24.09 | 32 | 35 | 46 |
44 | Florida | 22.47 | 31 | 47 | 49 |
45 | Indiana | 22.42 | 43 | 40 | 38 |
46 | Virginia | 22.40 | 41 | 41 | 40 |
47 | South Carolina | 20.28 | 48 | 38 | 39 |
48 | Georgia | 20.28 | 45 | 43 | 41 |
49 | Arizona | 19.66 | 36 | 49 | 50 |
50 | Mississippi | 19.19 | 47 | 29 | 48 |
51 | North Carolina | 17.68 | 49 | 34 | 47 |
17 key metrics study was based upon:
Coronavirus Relief & Medical Services – Total Points: 60
- Coronavirus Relief Fund per Capita: Full Weight (~4.29 Points)
- Coronavirus Relief Fund per People who Tested Positive: Full Weight (~4.29 Points)
- Waived Cost Sharing for COVID-19 Treatment: Double Weight (~8.57 Points)
Note: This metric measures the presence or absence of waived cost sharing for COVID-19 treatment by state. - Free-Cost COVID-19 Vaccine When Available: Double Weight (~8.57 Points)
Note: This metric measures the presence or absence of policies offering a free-cost COVID-19 vaccine when available by state. - Existence of Legislation Capping Insulin Prices: Double Weight (~8.57 Points)
Note: This metric measures the presence or absence of legislation capping insulin prices by state. - Early Prescription Refills : Full Weight (~4.29 Points)
Note: This binary metric measures the presence or absence of required early prescription refills by state. - States Opening Emergency Enrollment Period for Uninsured Population: Full Weight (~4.29 Points)
Note: This binary metric measures the status of offering an emergency special enrollment period for qualified individuals who are currently without insurance in response to the coronavirus pandemic. - Share of Uninsured Population : Full Weight (~4.29 Points)
- Adoption of Telehealth Services: Double Weight (~8.57 Points)
Note: This composite metric includes:- Patient Setting
- Technology
- Provider types
- Medicaid Coverage
- States With Temporary Changes Under Approved Medicaid Disaster Relief SPAs: Full Weight (~4.29 Points)
Note: This binary metric measures the presence or absence of temporary changes under approved Medicaid Disaster Relief SPAs by state. The Disaster Relief SPA allows states to make temporary changes to their Medicaid state plans and address access and coverage issues during the COVID-19 emergency.
Food and Housing Assistance – Total Points: 20
- Share of Households in Poverty Receiving Social Assistance: Double Weight (~6.67 Points)
Note: This composite metric includes: the share of households in poverty receiving food stamps and the share of households in poverty receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and/or Cash Public Assistance Income. - Share of Elderly Population Served a Home-Delivered Meal: Double Weight (~6.67 Points)
- Share of Sheltered Homeless Population: Full Weight (~3.33 Points)
- Number of Permanent Supportive Housing Beds per Homeless Population: Full Weight (~3.33 Points)
Note: Permanent supportive housing (PSH) is a proven solution for the most vulnerable chronically homeless people. PSH ends a person’s homelessness by pairing housing with case management and voluntary supportive services.
Unemployment Support – Total Points: 20
- Unemployment Insurance Recipiency Rate: Double Weight (~8.00 Points)
Note: The Recipiency Rate represents the insured unemployed in regular programs as a percentage of the total unemployed. - Ratio of Average Weekly Wage Covered by Unemployment Benefit: Double Weight (~8.00 Points)
Note: The Replacement Rate is the ratio of the claimants’ weekly benefit amount (WBA) to the claimants’ average weekly wage. - Average Unemployment Weekly Benefit: Full Weight (~4.00 Points)
Note: This metric refers to the average weekly benefit for weeks of total unemployment and has been adjusted for the cost of living.