Final answer:
Higher rates of uninsurance in Southern states can be attributed to the conservative political culture that prioritizes minimal government intervention and low public spending, resulting in resistance to healthcare reforms like Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act and constrained access to public health services.
Step-by-step explanation:
Through the lens of political culture, many states in the South have higher rates of uninsurance because these states often hold conservative ideologies that prioritize lower public spending and smaller government involvement in social systems. States adhering to a conservative political culture may be more likely to reject measures such as the expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, despite federal incentives to reduce overall uninsurance levels. These political decisions, influenced by a state's commitment to tradition and limited government intervention, can lead to higher levels of poverty and health issues and a larger uninsured population due to more restricted access to public health insurance programs and services.
The economic strategy of some Southern states, which includes using "race-to-the-bottom" tactics in the hope of attracting business, can result in workplace protections being minimized and unemployment insurance programs being underfunded. This often leaves workers in these states more vulnerable and less likely to be insured. Additionally, the political resistance to increased government regulation and skepticism of federal programs among constituents in these regions can influence elected officials not to prioritize public health initiatives or the expansion of health care coverage, perpetuating higher rates of uninsurance.