One out of three Americans under 65 were without health insurance

[cynatnite]

CNN) -- One out of three Americans under 65 were without health insurance at some point during 2007 and 2008, according to a report released Wednesday.

With respect to health care reform, "the cost of doing nothing is too high," says Families USA.

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:

• 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.

"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."

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/03/04/uninsured.epidemic.obama/

[Coyote_Bandit]

1. And those numbers do not include

folks who have high deductible catastrophic medical insurance because they are conswidered insured with access to health care.

[kestrel91316]

2. I'm one of the one in three. Hope I stay healthy.

[2Design]

3. no insurance since 1997 - if I pay and get sick they will drop me

and I will still be uninsured or if I am sick, I won't have the money to pay them so they will drop me

[sarcasmo]

4. Worst Health Care system of any Industrialized nation.

[monmouth]

5. I thank God for my health, but the way many get around this, go to the ER

for things like chest pains, etc. All recipients of SS get that Hosp. part in their Medicare without the deduction from the check. I pay my doctor out of pocket. I only have to see him every two years or so and it's far less expensive...