20 Percent Lost Health Insurance in U.S. Since 2008

Posted in Health Insurance

December 18th, 2009

New estimates released on Wednesday by the government confirmed that one in five – or 20 percent – of the U.S. population went without health insurance at some point since January 2008. This percentage, which was offered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, represents 60 million Americans.

Lack of Health Insurance and Its Close Link to Unemployment

The study found that much of the issue with health insurance loss was the issue of unemployment. While the study found that nearly 60 million went without insurance at some point during 2008 and into 2009, a large 31.9 percent lacked insurance for more than a year and it had everything with the high rate of unemployment, which is now at 10 percent.

According to the study, two-thirds of those who did not have coverage for at least part of the time were unemployed working-age adults. The majority of those lacking coverage were Hispanics, men and young adults ages 18 to 24.

What This Study Means for the Health Care Overhaul

While this study won’t likely result in Senate making any adjustments to the health care overhaul, it does confirm the need to speed up the process so that it can pass before the end of the year. Expanding health insurance access to the masses is the main topic on the agenda.

Hopefully, it will fulfill its goal, because with all of the proven complications that can arise from a lack of health insurance, one in five Americans may have a long, unhealthy road ahead of them.

Are you among the 20 percent without health insurance? What has been your experience?