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Behind the numbers

Posted by: Ella Hushagen on Aug 27, 2008

Yesterday the Census Bureau reported that the number of uninsured dropped by 1.3 million people during 2007. But don't bust out the confetti and the party hats just yet. There are some grim realities driving these numbers.

The Census data show that, although the number of uninsured has fallen somewhat, fewer businesses are providing good jobs with health benefits. In our faltering economy, the number of Americans covered by employer-sponsored health insurance has continued to fall. In 2000, the portion of the public covered by employer-sponsored insurance 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.  Due to the failed economic policies of the current administration, more Americans are now living in poverty. As a result many more are qualifying for public coverage. Approximately 800,000 are children. Without the safety net of the Medicaid 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 serve everyone. The 45.7 million uninsured Americans exceeds the combined population of 24 states plus the District of Columbia. What's more, the Census numbers do not tell us how many workers have seen their deductibles and copayments soar to unaffordable levels. Hard-working uninsured and underinsured Americans need health reform yesterday.