Government
More Americans lack health insurance
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Sept. 13, 2004
The number of Americans without health insurance grew by 1.4 million, reaching 45 million last year, according to a new U.S. Census Bureau report. Analysts attributed the trend to the recession.
The new figures highlight the need for action, said AMA President-Elect J. Edward Hill, MD. "Tragically, without insurance, many Americans do not seek medical attention until their health problem reaches crisis proportions," he said. The AMA has called for tax credits for the purchase of insurance, individually selected and owned coverage, and a wide range of new, affordable insurance options.
The number of people with health coverage grew by 1 million last year, fueled largely by an extra 3.2 million people covered by government programs. Nearly 77 million people were covered by public programs.
Employment-based insurance lost ground. The number of people with such coverage dropped by 1.3 million to 174 million. The Census Bureau report can be found in pdf form online (link).
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2004/09/13/gvbf0913.htm.
