Title: Census Bureau Reports 45.8 Million Americans Uninsured in 2004

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Section/SPIG: Health Administration

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The number of Americans without health insurance increased for the fourth consecutive year in 2004 to 45.8 million, the U.S. Census Bureau reported (http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/hlthins/hlthin04.html) today. That's 15.7 percent of the population, about the same as in 2003, but about 800,000 more people. While the number of Americans with health insurance increased by 2 million, the proportion covered through an employer decreased to 59.8 percent from 60.4 percent. The proportion and number of Americans covered by government health insurance programs increased to 27.2 percent and 79.1 million from 26.6 percent and 76.8 million, driven by increases in the percentage and number of people covered by Medicaid. AHA President Dick Davidson said the new numbers "should serve as another jolt to us all -- each year millions of Americans struggle without health coverage, delaying needed care until an illness or injury has worsened." He added, "As a nation, we must find common sense solutions to the challen! ge of extending health coverage to all Americans. Hospitals are ready to join forces with government and the private sector to solve a problem that simply has been neglected far too long."

Source: AHA News Now - August 30, 2005

Reprinted with the permission of the American Hospital Association, copyright 2005.