Health Insurance Values » HealthLog with Dave Keller

Taking a look at the uninsured

Who are the millions of uninsured at the center of the health reform debate? In August 2008, a U.S. Census Bureau report —“Income, Poverty and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States”— estimated there were 45.7 million of them in United States.

At first glimpse, it’s a stunning figure, but then it commands a healthy dose of thoughtful analysis. The population it comprises will heavily influence how health care in our country is reformed. Do we spend trillions to insure those who can afford and qualify for health insurance or do we create a Medicare-style system for different income levels?

FactCheck.org, the nonprofit, nonpartisan consumer advocate for voters, recently offered a breakdown of the uninsured population and explained that while many numbers politicians and the media cite are accurate, they paint the best picture when seen in context.

Read FactCheck.org’s article The "Real" Uninsured »

Here are some additional resources for examining this population:

Income, Poverty and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States »
The in-depth U.S. Census Bureau report behind the 45.7 million figure

Understanding the Uninsured: Tailoring Policy Solutions for Different Subpopulations »
From the National Institute for Health Care Management Foundation, a nonprofit, nonpartisan group that conducts research on health care issues

The Uninsured: A Primer – Key Facts about Americans without Health Insurance »
From the Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonprofit group that serves as a nonpartisan source of facts, information and analysis for policymakers, the media, the health care community and the public