The number of insured Americans dropped in 2009 for the first time since the government began using comparable data in 1987, and several other measures hit new lows, according to a release by the U.S. Census Bureau.
The number of people with health insurance decreased from 255.1 million in 2008 to 253.6 million in 2009.
Likewise, the proportion of Americans covered by private insurance (63.9 percent) is also its lowest point since 1987, as is the proportion with employer-based insurance (55.8 percent).
Also, the percentage of people covered by government health insurance programs (30.6 percent) is its highest point since 1987, as is the percentage covered by Medicaid (15.7 percent).
Meanwhile, the number of uninsured Americans rose from 46.3 million in 2008 to 50.7 million in 2009, a rise from 15.4 to 16.7 percent of all Americans.
In addition, the number of privately insured Americans declined from 201.0 million to 194.5 million, while the number of government-covered Americans rose from 87.4 million to 93.2 million.
Americans covered by their employer declined from 176.3 million to 169.7 million, while the number covered by Medicaid rose from 42.6 million to 47.8 million.
Read the Census Bureau release on health insurance.
Read more on the uninsured:
-Widely Used Federal Subsidies for Unemployed May Have Ended for Good
-Amount Hospitals Charged Uninsured Patients Rose 88% From 1998-2007
-Hospitals Agree to Contribute $155B Over 10 Years for Uninsured Coverage
The number of people with health insurance decreased from 255.1 million in 2008 to 253.6 million in 2009.
Likewise, the proportion of Americans covered by private insurance (63.9 percent) is also its lowest point since 1987, as is the proportion with employer-based insurance (55.8 percent).
Also, the percentage of people covered by government health insurance programs (30.6 percent) is its highest point since 1987, as is the percentage covered by Medicaid (15.7 percent).
Meanwhile, the number of uninsured Americans rose from 46.3 million in 2008 to 50.7 million in 2009, a rise from 15.4 to 16.7 percent of all Americans.
In addition, the number of privately insured Americans declined from 201.0 million to 194.5 million, while the number of government-covered Americans rose from 87.4 million to 93.2 million.
Americans covered by their employer declined from 176.3 million to 169.7 million, while the number covered by Medicaid rose from 42.6 million to 47.8 million.
Read the Census Bureau release on health insurance.
Read more on the uninsured:
-Widely Used Federal Subsidies for Unemployed May Have Ended for Good
-Amount Hospitals Charged Uninsured Patients Rose 88% From 1998-2007
-Hospitals Agree to Contribute $155B Over 10 Years for Uninsured Coverage