Merced County, CA

County

Add Comparison

2020 Population

273,661

0.84% 1-year growth

US Senator

Dianne Feinstein

Democratic Party

US Senator

Alex Padilla

Democratic Party

2020 Median Age

31.2

0.322% 1-year increase

2020 Poverty Rate

18.8%

11.5% 1-year decrease

2020 Median Household Income

$56,330

4.95% 1-year growth

2020 Median Property Value

$268,800

6.37% 1-year growth

2020 Employed Population

107,059

1.98% 1-year growth

About

In 2020, Merced County, CA had a population of 274k people with a median age of 31.2 and a median household income of $56,330. Between 2019 and 2020 the population of Merced County, CA grew from 271,382 to 273,661, a 0.84% increase and its median household income grew from $53,672 to $56,330, a 4.95% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Merced County, CA are Other (Hispanic) (30.8%), White (Non-Hispanic) (26.9%), White (Hispanic) (24.1%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (7.43%), and Two+ (Hispanic) (4.29%).

None of the households in Merced County, CA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

84.3% of the residents in Merced County, CA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Merced County, CA are Merced College (3,121 degrees awarded in 2020), University of California-Merced (1,703 degrees), and Milan Institute-Merced (154 degrees).

In 2020, the median property value in Merced County, CA was $268,800, and the homeownership rate was 52.2%. Most people in Merced County, CA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 28.9 minutes. The average car ownership in Merced County, CA was 2 cars per household.

Merced County, CA borders Fresno County, CA, Madera County, CA, Mariposa County, CA, San Benito County, CA, Santa Clara County, CA, and Stanislaus County, CA.

About the photo: Merced Wildlife Refuge

Photo by Linda Tanner

United States California Merced, CA

Diversity

Merced County, CA is home to a population of 274k people, from which 84.3% are citizens. As of 2020, 27.1% of Merced County, CA residents were born outside of the country (74.3k people).

In 2020, there were 1.14 times more Other (Hispanic) residents (84.2k people) in Merced County, CA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 73.6k White (Non-Hispanic) and 65.9k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Merced County, CA

Other (Hispanic)
84.2k ± 4.18k
White (Non-Hispanic)
73.6k ± 192
White (Hispanic)
65.9k ± 3.72k

60.2%

Hispanic Population

165k people

60.2% of the people in Merced County, CA are hispanic (165k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Merced County, CA as a share of the total population.

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

27.1%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

74.3k people

26.9%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

73.1k people

As of 2020, 27.1% of Merced County, CA residents (74.3k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.5%. In 2019, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Merced County, CA was 26.9%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Merced County, CA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.3

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 0.7

In 2020, the median age of all people in Merced County, CA was 31.2. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 24, were generally younger than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 47. But people in Merced County, CA are getting getting older. In 2019, the average age of all Merced County, CA residents was 31.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for California.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
4,008,868 ± 46,586 people
Philippines
829,356 ± 22,122 people
China
683,718 ± 20,124 people

In 2020, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of California was Mexico, the natal country of 4,008,868 California residents, followed by Philippines with 829,356 and China with 683,718.

Citizenship

84.3%

2020 Citizenship

84.1%

2019 Citizenship

As of 2020, 84.3% of Merced County, CA residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2019, the percentage of US citizens in Merced County, CA was 84.1%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Merced County, CA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
3,383 ± 394
Gulf War (2001-)
1,572 ± 338
Gulf War (1990s)
1,002 ± 216

Merced County, CA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.15 times greater than any other conflict.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for California. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

Y-Axis

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in California, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for California.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in California (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for California.

Y-Axis

8.45%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between May 2020 and May 2021

As of May 2021, there are 145M people employed in California. This represents a 8.45% increase in employment when compared to May 2020.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in California.

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Community Mobility

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for California.

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of California across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Economy

Median household income in Merced County, CA is $56,330. In 2020, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Merced County, CA was Census Tract 7.02 with a value of $95,833, followed by Census Tract 23.01 and Census Tract 18.01, with respective values of $85,365 and $85,000.

Males in California have an average income that is 1.26 times higher than the average income of females, which is $64,427. The income inequality in California (measured using the Gini index) is 0.498, which is higher than than the national average.

The economy of Merced County, CA employs 107k people. The largest industries in Merced County, CA are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (12,689 people), Retail Trade (12,184 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (11,998 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($71,875), Utilities ($65,469), and Public Administration ($53,362).

Wages

Median Household Income

$56,330

2020 value

± $1,450

4.95%

1 Year Growth

± 4.22%

Households in Merced County, CA have a median annual income of $56,330, which is less than the median annual income of $64,994 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $53,672 in 2019, which represents a 4.95% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Merced County, CA compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Sex in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for California.

$81,373

Average Male Salary in California

± $777

$64,427

Average Female Salary in California

± $650

In 2020, full-time male employees in California made 1.26 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the sex-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in California by number of full-time employees.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for California.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in California

Asian
$76,893 ± $1,222
White
$68,605 ± $653
Two or More Races
$54,009 ± $1,392

In 2020 the highest paid race/ethnicity of California workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.12 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in California.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in California by number of full-time employees.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Merced County, CA is from California.

0.498

2020 Wage GINI in California

0.499

2019 Wage GINI in California

In 2020, the income inequality in California was 0.498 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.321% decline from 2019 to 2020, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for California was higher than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed less evenly in California in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in California across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 7.02
Census Tract 23.01
Census Tract 18.01

In 2020, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Merced County, CA was Census Tract 7.02 with a value of $95,833, followed by Census Tract 23.01 and Census Tract 18.01, with respective values of $85,365 and $85,000.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Merced County, CA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Poverty by Age and Sex

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

18.8% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Merced County, CA (50.1k out of 267k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.8%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Males 6 - 11 and then Females 18 - 24.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

Hispanic
34,558 ± 1,455
White
22,265 ± 1,205
Other
19,060 ± 1,227

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Merced County, CA is Hispanic, followed by White and Other.

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

107k

2020 Value

± 2,797

1.98%

1 Year growth

± 3.46%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Merced County, CA grew at a rate of 1.98%, from 105k employees to 107k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Merced County, CA, are Farming, Fishing, & Forestry Occupations (10,881 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (10,492 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (9,119 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Merced County, CA.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Merced County, CA, by number of employees, are Farming, Fishing, & Forestry Occupations (10,881 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (10,492 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (9,119 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Merced County, CA has an unusually high number of residents working as Farming, Fishing, & Forestry Occupations (15.8 times higher than expected), Transportation Occupations (1.66 times), and Material Moving Occupations (1.64 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Merced County, CA, by median earnings, are Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners & Other Technical Occupations ($85,813), Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($71,875), and Law Enforcement Workers Including Supervisors ($70,275).

Industries

Employment by Industries

107k

2020 Value

± 2,797

1.98%

1 Year growth

± 3.46%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Merced County, CA grew at a rate of 1.98%, from 105k employees to 107k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Merced County, CA, are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (12,689 people), Retail Trade (12,184 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (11,998 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Merced County, CA, though some of these residents may live in Merced County, CA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Most Common

The most common industries in Merced County, CA, by number of employees, are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (12,689 people), Retail Trade (12,184 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (11,998 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Merced County, CA has an unusually high number of Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (9.66 times higher than expected), Wholesale Trade (1.33 times), and Transportation & Warehousing (1.26 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Merced County, CA, by median earnings, are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($71,875), Utilities ($65,469), and Public Administration ($53,362).

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from California to other states, or from other states to California.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound California product (by dollars) was Electronics with $407B, followed by Pharmaceuticals ($158B) and Mixed freight ($149B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound California products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for California.

$2.26T

2020 Value in California

$4.61T

Projected 2050 Value in California

104% growth

In 2020, total outbound California trade was $2.26T. This is expected to increase 104% to $4.61T by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound California trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from California to other states, or from other states to California.

Most Common Trade Partners

Texas
$83.5B
Arizona
$44.4B
Ohio
$43.3B

In 2020, the top outbound California domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Texas with $83.5B, followed by Arizona with $44.4B and Ohio and $43.3B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that California shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Merced County, CA went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 54.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (43.5%), followed by Other (1.35%). The most partisan county was San Francisco County, CA with 85.3% of the vote going to Joseph R Biden Jr. running for the Democratic Party.

Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla are the senators currently representing the state of California. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

California is currently represented by 53 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (54.1%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (43.5%)
Republican Party
Other (1.35%)
Green and Other Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Merced County, CA went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 54.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (43.5%), followed by Other (1.35%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Merced County, CA for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Presidential voting results are only available at the county level. Showing data for the counties inside of California.

Joseph R Biden Jr.

Popular Vote for Merced County, CA

54.1% for the Democratic Party

Most Partisan Counties in California

San Francisco County, CA
85.3% for Joseph R Biden Jr. (Democratic Party)
Marin County, CA
82.3% for Joseph R Biden Jr. (Democratic Party)
Alameda County, CA
80.2% for Joseph R Biden Jr. (Democratic Party)

In the 2020 presidential election, the most partisan county in California was San Francisco County, CA with 85.3% of the vote going to Joseph R Biden Jr. running for the Democratic Party.

The following map shows the counties in California colored by their party leaning.

US Senators from California

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for California.

Dianne Feinstein

Senator from California

Assumed office on November 10, 1992
Elected to the seat to succeed John Seymour (California politician)|John Seymour, who had been appointed to the seat after Pete Wilson was elected Governor of California.

Alex Padilla

Senator from California

Assumed office on January 20, 2021
Appointed to the seat following the resignation of Kamala Harris, who had become Vice President of the United States.

Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla are the senators currently representing California.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in California over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representatives from California

California is currently represented by 53 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for California have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2020, universities in Merced County, CA awarded 5,063 degrees. The student population of Merced County, CA is skewed towards women, with 8,304 male students and 11,784 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Merced County, CA are Hispanic or Latino (2,949 and 60.7%), followed by White (818 and 16.8%), Asian (598 and 12.3%), and Unknown (214 and 4.41%).

The largest universities in Merced County, CA by number of degrees awarded are Merced College (3,121 and 61.6%), University of California-Merced (1,703 and 33.6%), and Milan Institute-Merced (154 and 3.04%).

The most popular majors in Merced County, CA are Liberal Arts & Sciences (967 and 19.1%), General Psychology (557 and 11%), and General Business Administration & Management (311 and 6.14%).

The median tuition cost in Merced County, CA for a public four year colleges is $12,570 for in-state students and $42,324 for out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

General Business Administration & Management
133 degree-majorss awarded
General Psychology
310 degree-majorss awarded
General Social Sciences
237 degree-majorss awarded

In 2020, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Merced County, CA was General Business Administration & Management with 133 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in Merced County, CA according to their major.

Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Merced College
3,121 degrees awarded
University of California-Merced
1,703 degrees awarded
Milan Institute-Merced
154 degrees awarded

$12,570

Median In-State Public

In 2020, the Merced County, CA institution with the largest number of graduating students was Merced College with 3,121 degrees awarded.

Student Sex for Common Institutions

1,983

Degrees Awarded to Men

3,080

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2020, 1,983 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Merced County, CA, which is 0.644 times less than the 3,080 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the sex disparity between the institutions in Merced County, CA by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino
2,949 degrees awarded
White
818 degrees awarded
Asian
598 degrees awarded

In 2020 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions in Merced County, CA was Hispanic or Latino students. These 2,949 degrees mean that there were 3.61 times more degrees awarded to Hispanic or Latino students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, White, with 818 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Merced County, CA was $268,800 in 2020, which is 1.17 times larger than the national average of $229,800. Between 2019 and 2020 the median property value increased from $252,700 to $268,800, a 6.37% increase. The homeownership rate in Merced County, CA is 52.2%, which is lower than the national average of 64.4%. People in Merced County, CA have an average commute time of 28.9 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Merced County, CA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$268,800

2020 Median

± $4,864

$252,700

2019 Median

± $4,581

In 2020, the median property value in Merced County, CA grew to to $268,800 from the previous year's value of $252,700.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Merced County, CA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Merced County, CA the largest share of households have a property value in the $300k - $400k range.

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$56,330

Median Household Income

± $1,450

81.3k

Number of Households

± 2,214

In 2020, the median household income of the 81.3k households in Merced County, CA grew to $56,330 from the previous year's value of $53,672.

The following chart displays the households in Merced County, CA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Property Taxes

$800 - $1,499

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Merced County, CA distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Merced County, CA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

Rent vs Own

52.2%

2020 Homeownership

52.2%

2019 Homeownership

In 2020, 52.2% of the housing units in Merced County, CA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 52.2%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is lower than the national average of 64.4%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Merced County, CA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

28.9 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Merced County, CA have a longer commute time (28.9 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.9 minutes). Additionally, 8.66% of the workforce in Merced County, CA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Merced County, CA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2020

Drove Alone (79.3%)
Carpooled (9.01%)
Other (4.11%)

In 2020, 79.3% of workers in Merced County, CA drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (9.01%) and those who used some unspecified means to get work (4.11%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Merced County, CA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Merced County, CA have 2 cars, followed by false.

Health

92% of the population of Merced County, CA has health coverage, with 35.1% on employee plans, 39% on Medicaid, 6.34% on Medicare, 10.9% on non-group plans, and 0.67% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in California was $7,549 in 2014. This is a 4.04% increase from the previous year ($7,256).

Primary care physicians in Merced County, CA see 2216 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.64% decrease from the previous year (2253 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 2169 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 530 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Amador County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (17%). Additionally, Colusa County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (39%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

2,216 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Merced County, CA

Primary care physicians in Merced County, CA see an average of 2,216 patients per year. This represents a 1.64% decrease from the previous year (2,253 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Merced County, CA in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
New Hampshire
7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
Louisiana
17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

Health Care Spending

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for California.

$7,549

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in California

$4,735

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$5,368

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$11,833

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in California (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 4.04%, from $7,256 to $7,549.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

Health Care Coverage

7.98%

Uninsured

35.1%

Employer Coverage

39%

Medicaid

6.34%

Medicare

10.9%

Non-Group

0.67%

Military or VA

Between 2019 and 2020, the percent of uninsured citizens in Merced County, CA declined by 4.18% from 8.33% to 7.98%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Merced County, CA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.