86.7 Million Americans Uninsured Over Last Two Years

I have done a number of posts concerning the national embarrassment that the USA's health care system is compared to other modern, industrialized nations. Yes, the system is great for those with vast fortunes, but what about those who do not? A new study discloses that the number of Americans lacking health care insurance is even higher than previously thought. These numbers translate into huge numbers of individuals not getting need preventive care not to mention requisite care when medical conditions have become life threatening.

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Rush Limbaugh and his zombie followers and Congressional Republicans may want to convince themselves that the USA is tops in everything, but they are deluding themselves when it comes to the delivery of health care. I also find it of particular note that the political party that claims to represent god fearing Americans and "family values" is the party that consistently leaves children and families uninsured. The callousness is shocking. Moreover, nothing would help small businesses - something the GOP harps about - more than to reduce the burden of health insurance costs for their employees. My firm plan renews April 1st and my plan broker has already warned me that the cost of coverage will be going up close to 10% over the year just ending even though we've had no major claims. Here are some highlights from CNN:

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One out of three Americans under 65 were without health insurance at some point during 2007 and 2008, according to a report released Wednesday. The study, commissioned by the consumer health advocacy group Families USA, found 86.7 million Americans were uninsured at one point during the past two years. Among the report's key findings:

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• Nearly three out of four uninsured Americans were without health insurance for at least six months.
• Almost two-thirds were uninsured for nine months or more.
• Four out of five of the uninsured were in working families.
• People without health insurance are less likely to have a usual doctor and often go without screenings or preventative care.

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"The huge number of people without health coverage is worse than an epidemic," Ron Pollack, executive director of Families USA, said in a press release. "Inaction on health care reform in 2009 cannot be an option for the tens of millions of people who lack or lose health coverage each year ... the cost of doing nothing is too high."

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The study came out the day before President Obama plans to hold a health care summit at the White House. The President says reforming health care is one of his top priorities. Critics say the number of uninsured Americans cited in the Families USA report is misleading. "No one disagrees we have a problem with the uninsured," says Douglas Holtz-Eakin, who advised Sen. John McCain on domestic and economic policy during the 2008 election.

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As if John McCain who has the deluxe benefit plan for members of Congress and a wife worth many, many millions has a clue about what it's like to worry about health care cost and health insurance.