82 million uninsured at some point in time
Families USA
June 2004
One in Three: Non-Elderly Americans Without Health Insurance, 2002-2003
CONCLUSION
Approximately 81.8 million Americans-one out of every three non-elderly people-were uninsured at some point in time during 2002-2003, and two-thirds of these uninsured people were uninsured for six or more months. And, although the majority of insured Americans receive their health insurance through their jobs, four out of five of these uninsured individuals were workers or members of working families. Minorities and people with low incomes are at significantly higher risk of being uninsured.
People who go without health insurance-even for brief periods of time-can face devastating consequences to their health and their economic security.
Concrete action to tackle the mounting problem of uninsured Americans should be a national priority.
WHY INSURANCE MATTERS
The uninsured are less likely to have a usual source of care outside the emergency room.
The uninsured often go without screenings and preventive care.
The uninsured often delay or forgo needed medical care.
The uninsured are often subject to avoidable hospital stays.
Uninsured Americans are sicker and die earlier than those who have insurance.
http://www.familiesusa.org/site/DocServer/82million_uninsured_report.pdf?docID=3641
Comment: “Concrete action to tackle the mounting problem of uninsured Americans should be a national priority.”
Why isn’t it?