82 Million in U.S. Without Health Insurance

June 16, 2004 -- Nearly 82 million nonelderly Americans -- a third of those under the age of 65 -- went without health insurance for some period of time in 2002 or 2003, according to a report released by the consumer health group Families USA.

An estimated 44 million Americans lacked any type of health coverage for the entire year in 2003, according to U.S. Census Bureau figures. This represents a 15% increase over 2001.

Of the 82 million nonelderly Americans that lacked health insurance coverage at some time between 2002 and 2003, two-thirds were uninsured for six months or longer, while more than half were uninsured for more than nine months.

"This problem is no longer simply an altruistic issue affecting the poor but a matter of self-interest for almost everyone," Ron Pollack, executive director of Families USA, tells reporters.

In Texas, 43% of its nonelderly residents went without health insurance at some point -- the highest proportion of any state in the nation. New Mexico followed close behind with 43% of its nonelderly population lacking health insurance coverage.

California had the highest number of people -- 12 million -- under the age of 65 without health insurance for more than six months during 2002-2003, according to the report.

The report also says that nearly 60% of Hispanics and 43% of blacks under the age of 65 did not have health insurance compared with 24% of non-Hispanic whites during 2003 and 2003.

The likelihood of being uninsured decreases considerably as income increases. Of the 82 million people without health insurance, 80% were from working families. However, 25% of working families with an income between $56,000 and $74,000 were uninsured.

Pollack attributes the widespread insurance shortage among working families to two main factors. Rising health costs are driving fewer employers to offer insurance benefits to their workers, while those that do often have coverage with premiums that workers can't afford, he says.

Voters Not Responding

Governor Tom Vilsack (D-Iowa) called the problem a crisis. "It is unacceptable in a country of this size and this power and this wealth that one of three citizens does not consider health care a right," says Vilsack, chair of the Democratic Governors' Association.

Still, the issue has largely failed to resonate with voters as the 2004 congressional and presidential elections move into full swing.

Only 7% of those polled in the April Battleground 2004 poll said health care was the most important issue in the coming elections. Thirty-five percent said the economy, unemployment, and jobs are the No. 1 issues, which pollsters also say is tied in with health costs and family budgets.

"We need a recognition that that this is not some sort of a privilege but that is really needs to be part of the main program," says Governor John Baldachi (D-Maine). The state is moving to implement nation's first universal health coverage program by extending subsidies to employers and individuals to help them buy coverage.