Approximately 89.6 million Americans--more than one out of three people (34.7 percent) under 65 years of age--were uninsured at some point in time during 2006-07, according to a report released Sept. 20 by the health consumer organization Families USA.
The report, based mainly on Census Bureau data, showed that most of these uninsured individuals lacked coverage for lengthy periods of time: 63.9 percent were uninsured for six months or more; and 50.2 percent were uninsured for nine months or more. Also, 79.3% of the uninsured were in working families.
The number of states where more than one-third of nonelderly people went without health insurance for all or part of a two-year period more than doubled, rising from nine states in 1999-2000 to 20 states plus the District of Columbia in 2006-07.
“These trends document the consequences of inaction,” said Ron Pollack, executive director of Families USA. “The number of uninsured has reached crisis proportions that must be addressed by the President and Congress to ensure that health coverage is available and affordable for all.” Read the report.
