And the bad news just keeps on coming. The ranks of the uninsured increased for the sixth straight year, to 47 million. The increase this time was 2.2 million; 15.8% of Americans, or about one in seven, does not have health insurance.
This despite a slight decline in the national poverty rate and a leveling-off of health insurance premium increases.
So in a ‘best-case’ environment, 2.2 million Americans still lost their health insurance.
If the problems in the credit markets continue, they will likely drag down the economy, leading to even more becoming uninsured. And this will all happen just in time for the fall 2008 elections.
Aug
29
Joe:
You made the point very well before in your 10 part diatribe about managed care. If the 47 million people who are uninsured really wanted insurance they could afford it. Skip the cable, McDonalds, Second car, vacation, find a second job etc. I have several friends that are under Medicare age that work at Walmart because of the great medical benefits available at a nominal charge.
This is not a problem it is a choice.
The credit markets are not going to drag anybody anywhere. Those that have strayed into water over their head will have to wade back to shore having lost a bunch. They will be in a better position afterwards to afford health insurance after they get rid of a mortgage they can’t afford.
Regards.
Charles,
The plural of anecdote is not data. It really doesn’t matter what your friends are doing. If we woke up tomorrow and everyone had the moral fortitude to hit the gym three times a week, eat enough fiber, and spend with the wisdom of Warren Buffett, we’d still solve less than 5 percent of the problem. Poor health habits is just one of many drivers of the medical cost crisis, and you need to start doing some more thoughtful analysis of them all, not just the ones that reinforce your already-held beliefs, to understand the problem.
I agree with Rick that personal health habits are a serious problem and I believe that financial incentives need to be included in insurance design to promote healthier habits. but would not address the problem of un-insurance. Bush’s Let Them Eat Cake comment about people always having access to emergency rooms is about the most callous statement I remember hearing from a president.
the battle is being fought now over CSHIP on how to insure the uninsured
— Peter