Will you be having uninsurance with your poverty?
Well, this ought to go over real big with the Latinos Bush needs to get elected.
43.6 million lacking health plan; increase is highest in a decade
By Ceci Connolly, Washington Post, 9/30/2003
WASHINGTON -- The number of Americans who lack health insurance climbed by 5.7 percent in 2002, to 43.6 million, the largest single increase in a decade, according to figures to be released today by the US Census Bureau.
Overall, 15.2 percent of Americans were uninsured last year, up from 14.6 percent in 2001. The largest jump was among people who had received health benefits through their jobs, as some firms laid off workers and others reduced coverage. Young adults and Latinos once again were the least likely to have medical coverage. Children and the elderly have the highest rates of coverage, primarily because of government-run health programs.
Coupled with a report last week showing a similar rise in poverty, the health insurance data help illuminate the human toll of the nation's stalled economy, an issue that threatens to bring President Bush political headaches as he gears up to seek reelection.
