New Census Report Shows Millions of Americans Remain Uninsured
Yesterday the Census released their new findings on the state of health care coverage and poverty in America. The new data shows that the number of uninsured Americans decreased from 47.0 million in 2006 to 45.7 million in 2007.
During the same time period the number of individuals covered by employer-sponsored health insurance decreased. As David Johnson, chief of the Census Bureau’s Housing and Household Economic Statistics Division, explained at a press conference yesterday, “the main reason for the fall in the uninsured rates” is increased enrollment in government health programs. This illustrates the important role that public health insurance programs such as Medicaid play in helping Americans obtain needed health care. The new data also illustrates the positive impact of state health reform efforts. Massachusetts, which recently mandated health coverage for almost all residents, had the lowest number of uninsured, with only 7.9% of the population uninsured in 2006-07, compared with Texas, the state with the highest uninsured rate at 24.8% of the population.
Despite the decrease in the number of uninsured, it’s important to remember an incredibly high number of people in this country — over 45 million — still do not have access to needed health care! As Families USA explains, the current number of uninsured individuals (45.7 million) “exceeds the combined population of 24 states plus the District of Columbia.”
Millions of women across the country lack access to basic health care, including needed reproductive health services. Approximately 14% of women were uninsured in 2007. Women of color were particularly at risk of being uninsured with rates of 17.9% of Black women, 28.9% of Hispanic women, and 15.7% of Asian-American women, compared with 9.6% of White women.
It’s not just adults that don’t have access to health care. The new data shows that, despite a decrease, over 8 million children remain uninsured. These numbers are way too high for a country that spends more on health care than any other industrialized nation.
In addition, it’s important to remember that this data was collected before the economic downturn overtook the country late last year. As the number of individuals living in poverty, losing their jobs, and facing unaffordable mortgages continues to increase, the number of uninsured Americans will continue to grow.
This new data is another large reminder of why we all must get involved to work towards creating comprehensive health care reform in this country. We must ensure that every person in this country has access to needed health care, including comprehensive reproductive health services, when they need it.
By Myra Batchelder