|
45 million Americans were without any health insurance in 2003 - up by 1.4 million from the previous year - according to data released by the Census Bureau in August, 2004. The number of uninsured Americans has grown for three straight years. Even more disturbing, a report from Families USA found that one in three Americans under the age of 65 - 81.8 million people - were uninsured for at least part or all of 2002 and 2003. Two-thirds of families living at or below the federal poverty line were uninsured.
Most Americans who have health insurance receive coverage through their employers - yet the vast majority of families without health insurance are working. A combination of thorny economic problems in recent years, including the rising cost of health insurance, slow job creation, and high unemployment rates, have contributed growth in uninsured rates.
Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Families USA
Lutheran Services in America
=> Back to The Uninsured Main Page
|
