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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?

Health Insurance can be pesky and extremely difficult to understand.

What is covered? What is not? Why does it cost so much? Even if your employer pays for some of your insurance costs, you're still saddled with paying for doctor's visits, test and, though you hope it never happens, hospital costs.

Is it smart to get coverage for the pricey hospital costs in addition to your regular health care? What about ditching your PPO or HMO altogether for hospital only coverage?

We took a look at hospital coverage to see whether it's really worth your hard-earned dollars.

Should you get Hospital Insurance?

Thats a question only you can answer, but by looking at the options can help you evaluate whether it might work for you and whether it's worth the risk.

Tell us about your experiences with Hospital Care Insurance. Do you think it's worth the extra cost?

The House planned to vote on Wednesday on measures that would help provide a safety net for the unemployed and a COBRA extension was to be among the measures. If the extension was approved, it would provide a subsidy to beneficiaries for an additional two months.

About the COBRA Subsidy

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