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According to the US Census Bureau, a staggering 45 million Americans did not have health insurance at any time in 2003. A report by Families USA found that one of every three Americans went without health insurance for at least part of the year in 2002-2003. The poor are much more likely to be uninsured compared to the rest of the population.
Three federal government programs provide health insurance for the public: Medicare, Medicaid, and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Medicare provides basic health insurance benefits 41 million seniors and adults with permanent disabilities. Medicaid is the largest provides benefits to 51 million low-income people in the United States - more than one out of every six Americans. The SCHIP program provides health insurance to children in families whose incomes are too high to qualify for Medicaid, but too low to afford private coverage. 5.8 million children were enrolled in SCHIP in 2003.
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Children's Defense Fund
Families USA
Kaiser Family Foundation
National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare
National Women's Law Center
Parents' Action for Children
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