Fix Health Care Policy

Today, the U.S. Census Bureau released the 2011 findings on health insurance coverage in the United States.

Despite a small reduction in the uninsured by 1.4 million from 2010 to 2011, 48.6 million, or 15.7 percent of Americans, remain without health insurance.

Another area of disappointment comes from the number of uninsured young adults: 27.7 percent of the uninsured fall in this age group. While this group saw a decrease of 2 percent—partially due to Obamacare’s extension of coverage to dependents up to age 26—it is much less than President Obama and his Administration promised. In August, the President claimed, “Nearly 7 million young people have health insurance because they’re able to stay on their parents’ plans.”

Read the rest on The Foundry…

Tags: Census Bureau, health insurance coverage, ObamaCare, parents' plan, private coverage, public programs, uninsured, young adults

In its yearly survey of health insurance coverage, the U.S. Census Bureau published figures that underscore the trend toward greater dependence on government for coverage.

The percentage of Americans on government health programs continues to grow, while employer-based coverage continues to decline. According to the latest Census report, 31 percent of the population received coverage through the government in 2010 compared to 23 percent in 1987. In contrast, 64 percent of the population had private coverage in 2010, compared to 75.5 percent in 1987. Employer-based coverage declined from 62.1 percent in 1987 to 55.3 percent in 2010. (Read the rest on The Foundry…)

Tags: Census Bureau, government-run health care, health coverage, ObamaCare, uninsured

The Census Bureau’s annual snapshot out today shows there were 50.7 million, or 16.7 percent of the population, without health coverage in 2009. These numbers come as the nation experiences a growing shift from private health coverage to more expansive public health programs.

Given today’s high rates of unemployment and the fact that most Americans get health insurance through their employers, the increased number of uninsureds comes as no surprise. The exodus from job-based insurance will only escalate under Obamacare.

The CMS actuary estimates that, under the president’s system, approximately 14 million Americans will lose or be moved out of their existing job-based coverage, and be enrolled in government-based plans. The new Census data shows the percentage of people in private insurance (63.9 percent) at a record low, while those in government health programs (30.6 percent) are at a record high. (more…)

Tags: Census Bureau, government health programs, insurance market, private health coverage, uninsured