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Behind the numbers

Posted by: Ella Hushagen on Aug 27, 2008

Yesterday the CensusBureau reported that the number of uninsured dropped by 1.3 million peopleduring 2007. But don't bust out the confetti and the party hats just yet. Thereare some grim realities driving these numbers.

The Census data show that,although the number of uninsured has fallen somewhat, fewer businesses areproviding good jobs with health benefits. In our faltering economy, the numberof Americans covered by employer-sponsored health insurance has continued tofall. In 2000, the portion of the public covered by employer-sponsoredinsurance was 64 percent; in 2007 - even before the economic downturn in 2008 -it was reduced to 59 percent.

So how did those 1.3 million people gain health coverage? Sadly,it may be because they got poorer.  Dueto the failed economic policies of the current administration, more Americansare now living in poverty. As a result many more are qualifying for publiccoverage. Approximately 800,000 are children. Without the safety net of theMedicaid program, those Americans would be uninsured today.  Ron Pollack remarked:

It is ironic that, at the very time the Bush Administration tried to cut back Medicaid and twice vetoed legislation to extend children's health coverage, the public safety net cushioned the loss of employer-sponsored health coverage.

But the safety net does not serveeveryone. The 45.7 million uninsured Americans exceeds the combined population of 24 states plus the District of Columbia. What's more, the Censusnumbers do not tell us how many workers have seen their deductibles and copaymentssoar to unaffordable levels. Hard-working uninsured and underinsured Americansneed health reform yesterday.