Number of Uninsured Rises Again
New Figures Show 47 Million Medically Uninsured Americans in 2006
Although wages increased and the number of poor decreased, the number of medically uninsured Americans rose again in 2006.
August 28, 2007 - According to data for 2006 released by the US Census Bureau today, household income has increased, poverty rates have declined slightly, but the number of uninsured Americans has risen again.
Median Income Increases
The median household income in the U.S. has risen to $48,200. The median is a statistical measure which indicates that half of the U.S. households have an income less than this figure and half have an income that is greater than this number. This is the second straight year that income has increased.
Poverty Guidelines
The poverty level has shown a decrease for the first time in this decade. The poverty level is now at 12.3%; it was 12.6% in 2005. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Federal poverty level guidelines for 2007 were defined as individual earnings below $10,210 in the 48 contiguous states, $12,770 in Alaska and $11,750 in Hawaii.
Number of Uninsured Rises Again!
The number of uninsured rose again in 2006 to 47 million. This number represents 15.8% of the population. The Midwest had the lowest percentage of uninsured (11.4%) followed by the Northeast (12.3%). The South had the highest percentage of uninsured (19%) and the West was next (17.9%). Texas had the highest percentage of uninsured at 24.1%. Minnesota, Hawaii, Iowa, Wisconsin and Maine had the lowest rates of uninsured.
Uninsured Children
The number of uninsured children rose to 8.7 million or 11.7% of the population for 2006. This is an increase from 8.0 million or 10.9% of the population in 2005. The number of uninsured has been steadily rising since 2001. According to census bureau figures, children living in poverty are almost twice as likely to be uninsured.
Medical costs have been rising at about twice the rate of wages. Employee-based health insurance has been on the decline and dropped to 59.7% in 2006 from 60.2% in 2005. Even for those with employee-based health insurance, the coverage and benefits have been steadily eroding for the past several years especially for small employers.
Health Insurance
The cost of individual health insurance is prohibitive to most even though wages have increased. This issue is one that is being hotly debated among Presidential candidates for both parties as voters rank health care as a top concern in surveys.
By October 1, 2007, Congress is set to vote on the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) to assist low income families to have medical coverage for their children.
