Who are the uninsured? Some extremely useful facts

This link is to the National Coalition on Health Care. I don't know what they push as the solution, but this research is really good to know. The numbers after some of the facts refer to footnotes in the original. At the link they also provide these facts in PDF. 2007 is the last year with complete data.

According the the Republicans, if you deduct the wealthy people who choose not to buy insurance, the young people who would rather buy ipods and the "millions and millions" of "illegals," it only shakes out to 8 million who need help getting medical coverage.

We should go to the site and download all the info they have there and use it to smack local talk show hosts, Sean Hannity, write letters to the editors, etc. If you look at the people involved, they are a very broad range of Dems and Repubs, so the information can not be discounted as having a particular political bias, which is also helpful. The Honorary Co-Chairs of this group are George Bush and Jimmy Carter, believe it or not.

"Really, Sean? That's not true? Well it comes from a group that has George Bush as it's co-chair."

On a sidenote, I heard Rush Limbaugh actually trying to tell people that the best solution would be NO insurance and everyone should just pay for their own healthcare out of pocket like he does!!! I'm series!

We are now up to 52 million - you'll love the interactive map.

Don't look now, but even those with insurance may go without health CARE. Health insurance is as reliable at providing health care as a car with a dead battery is at providing transportation. In either case, you're not going anywhere right away.

AUSTIN, Texas, May 28, 2009


more.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/05/28/business/childofrecession/main5047657.shtml


Recession Leaves Many Children Uninsured
Families Are Losing Health Insurance, And Federal Programs Aren't Picking Up The Slack


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By Kelly Cobiella

* Play CBS Video Video Delaying Children's Health Care

In a CBS News poll, one out of 10 people said they delayed medical or dental care for their children. Kelly Cobiella continues our series, in partnership with USA Today, "Children of the Recession."



* Special Report Children Of The Recession

CBS News looks at the impact of the recession on the nation's young.

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(CBS)
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With her six-figure annual income a distant memory, health insurance for this single mom and her two daughters has become a luxury they've decided to do without.

"We weren't needing to go to the doctor's, so I was like, 'should we have insurance premiums or should we do food?' So unfortunately, I've decided to kind of let that lapse," Shaunna said.

"So you rolled the dice?" Cobiella asked.

"I rolled the dice," Shaunna said.

While Shaunna worried about her girls getting sick, her youngest was worried about her.

"I worry a lot about her and what she's going through," Alyssa said.

"Does she know you worry a lot?" Cobiella asked.

"No, I don't really show it," Alyssa said.

But 9 year-old Alyssa couldn't hide an ear infection last March. Shaunna had no choice but to take a $100 trip to the doctor, plus antibiotics. When it came to the follow-up visit, she balked.

"You wait it out a little bit just to kind of see," Saunna said. "'Do I absolutely need to do this?'"

Within weeks, Alyssa was sick again, this time with aches and a 104-degree fever.

"It started getting worse," Alyssa said.

"Did you feel like you didn't want to go to the doctor?" Cobiella asked.

"No, I wanted to because I knew they would take care of me and get me better," Alyssa said.

"Was there any mom guilt?" Cobiella asked.

"Very big," Shaunna said. "You know, feel like you didn't do what you're supposed to be doing for your children."

That's when the school nurse told Shaunna about the Children's Health Express Van, a pediatrician's office on wheels, with no insurance forms and no fees.

There are 37 more mobile medical clinics like it in 15 states across the country. Originally intended to serve low-income, under-privileged children, the mobile medical units are seeing more parents like Shauna come in every day, who've lost their insurance, lost their job, or both.

Click here for a list of Children's Health Fund mobile medical units

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One safety net is supposed to be the federally funded CHIP program, recently reauthorized by President Obama. But of the estimated 8 million children currently uninsured, CHIP is expected to cover only half. Finding out whether your kids are eligible can be complicated - and time consuming. Dr. Redlener says, kids can't wait.........................