Many middle-income Americans lack insurance: study

[deadparrot]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - More than 40 percent of Americans making between $20,000 and $40,000 a year went without insurance for at least part of the year last year, according to a study published on Tuesday.

The research by The Commonwealth Fund also found that 20 percent of working adults are paying off medical debt -- often $2,000 or more -- and 60 percent of uninsured adults with chronic illnesses such as heart disease skip pills to save money.

The Commonwealth Fund researchers called the 40 percent figure a "dramatic and rapid increase from 2001," when 28 percent of people in this moderate income bracket were uninsured.

The group, which does the survey every other year, also found that 67 percent of the 48 million going without insurance were in families where at least one person worked full-time.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/uninsured_dc

[lavenderdiva]

1. Universal Healthcare...

when do we want it? NOW.

[area51]

15. I second that motion, lavenderdiva.

It's insane, inhuman & barbaric to let people die from lack of medical care. We're the only industrialized country to do this.

[Warpy]

2. That's not middle class, it's lower end working class

and no wonder they don't have insurance. They're considered worthless and utterly disposable. If they break, just toss 'em out and replace 'em with another disposable human being. It's cheaper than fixing them.

[DBoon]

8. They only think they are middle class

If the minimum wage had kept up with inflation since, they would be making a cut above the minimum wage

[Brazenly Liberal]

3. I'd love to know what percentage are underinsured.

I have a feeling it would be pretty high. The insurance many families have from employers is really lousy. One catastrophic health event can make them homeless as the uncovered costs spiral out of control.

The last time we had to file a large health insurance claim, much of it was uncovered because the insurance company said the hospital was charging a rate in excess of the normal rates for the area. I don't know how that's possible since it's the only hospital in the county. Our savings were completely eaten up and two years later, we're just now climbing out of the financial hole.

[WildClarySage]

10. Not even 'catastrophic'

When I had a baby in January, our hospitalization bill was $15,000. Our share of what insurance didn't cover put us in a big red hole, coupled with those astronomical gas prices and heating/energy costs. And then there were the separate fees for BabySage's hospital stay, the ob and pediatrician fees, lab fees, etc. and we're still sorting it all out trying to figure out how this isn't going to bankrupt us. The only reason we haven't declared bankruptcy is because the Republicans made it impossible.

[SoCalDem]

17. Bankruptcy is not as "impossible" as they thought it would be.

There was an article in the paper a while back that said the "interviewers" were twiddling their thumbs through abour 40 minutes of the required 45 minute interview, because after the first 5 minutes it was apparent that about 95% of the people applying were more than qualified for chapter 7..without the bugaboo counseling sessions.. Counseling is pretty useless anyway when people do not make enough to pay their bills.

Around here filings are actually UP.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

19. How are they managing to file for Chapter 7? I thought the new....

...bankruptcy law pushed everyone into filing for Chapter 13?

[SoCalDem]

20. That's what they wanted people to think...BUT

if your situation is bad enough, you can still file for chapter 7..at least here in CA they are doing it.

[kineneb]

21. answer: income level

If your income is below the median income of the state, you can easily file for Ch. 7. I know because we are in the process right now. Median for CA is around $57K/yr.; we are living on $14K/yr.

Also, it is unlikely to affect our home because the allowance for a disabled owner is higher than that for the healthy. In CA the disabled allowance for home value is the ridiculous sum of $150K. However, our place is valued at $175K, and we owe $25K on it, so the amounts cancel each other out.

Don't get me started on how wonderful it is (not) to be poor in today's Amerika.:mad:

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

4. Count me as one of them.

And I'm a full-time salaried worker.

[CottonBear]

5. Yet another study was needed to tell us this?

:grr: Just give us a one-payer system for EVERYONE already.

[shadowknows69]

6. How about all year

and the year before that and the year before that and the decade before that....

[Indy_Dem_Defender]

7. I fall under this category

In another 3 weeks I'm having major dental surgery, I have to get dentures to replace my top teeth and a parcel to replace some of my bottom teeth. Total cost $7000 I am paying this with my own money no insurance, if I would of had insurance offered or able to afford it the last 10 years I would not be in the situation I'm in now.

[JohnnyRingo]

9. There's a commercial here that shows a guy at work

It goes on to say that tomorrow Jim will find out that his stress headaches are actually a much more serious problem and he'll need the health care he lost...to save his life.
It ends with the stats in the original post on the screen.
Wake up America.

Very stark and to the point.

[OhioChick]

12. I saw that commerical on last night.......

gave me chills. Made me think of how easily that man could be me.......or anyone for that matter.

[OneBlueSky]

11. 20 to 40 grand is no longer "middle income" . . .

and hasn't been for a long, long time . . .

[TexasLawyer]

13. 28% uninsured (2001) to 40% uninsured (2006)

Compassionate conservatism at work!

[Media_Lies_Daily]

18. That's just the middle class...I wonder how many of those making less....

...than $20,000 don't have health insurance? 60%? 80%? It's got to be pretty high.

[depakid]

14. "...a time when our economy has been improving,"

Ms. Davis pretty well shot her whatever credibility she had with that statement....

[rodeodance]

16. health care is not even a dim blick on the radar screen for this congress

[Roland99]

22. Percentage of Uninsured Americans Rising (41% increase in 2005)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060426/ap_on_he_me/uninsured_americans

NEW YORK - The percentage of working-age Americans with moderate to middle incomes who lacked health insurance for at least part of the year rose to 41 percent in 2005, a dramatic increase from the 28 percent in 2001 without coverage, a study released on Wednesday found.

Moreover, more than half of the uninsured adults said they were having problems paying their medical bills or had incurred debt to cover their expenses, according to a report by the Commonwealth Fund, a New York-based private, health care policy foundation. The study of 4,350 adults also found that people without insurance were more likely to forgo recommended health screenings such as mammograms than those with coverage, and were less likely to have a regular doctor than their insured counterparts.

...

Collins said the study also illustrates how more employers are dropping coverage or are offering plans that are just too expensive for many people.

About 45.8 million Americans did not have health insurance in 2004, according to the U.S.
Census Bureau.

How apropos. I just got a call from my ex that she's losing her state medical card as her unemployment income plus the child support she gets from me puts her over the income limit. I can't afford to add my daughter as it would cost me $553/mo. just to add her through where I work.

Insurance nowadays is hope like hell you don't get sick.

[rodeodance]

23. people are flying by the seats of their pants hoping nothing happens. GAS

is upfront--has to paid now. that is where the focus is.

[superconnected]

24. I have a full time job

and haven't had health insurance in 3 years. Too expensive for my companies policy. It would be almost $350 a month. I'm healthy, in my 30's and have no kids or husband. That's the lowest rate they have.

[Lisa0825]

25. www.CoverTheUninsured.org

I saw this website advertised on TV last night.

http://covertheuninsured.org/

During May 1-7, 2006 thousands of activities will take place across the United States to tell Congress that health coverage for Americans must be their top priority. Find out how you can get involved!

[Ciggies and coffee]

26. Hey, lets force the uninsured to buy insurance!

I browsed the Commonwealth Fund website and they did not appear to sell single-payer medical.

[maddezmom]

27. kick

[NVMojo]

28. Percentage of Uninsured Americans Rising

NEW YORK (AP) - The percentage of working-age Americans with moderate to middle incomes who lacked health insurance for at least part of the year rose to 41 percent in 2005, a dramatic increase from the 28 percent in 2001 without coverage, a study released on Wednesday found.

Moreover, more than half of the uninsured adults said they were having problems paying their medical bills or had incurred debt to cover their expenses, according to a report by the Commonwealth Fund, a New York-based private, health care policy foundation. The study of 4,350 adults also found that people without insurance were more likely to forgo recommended health screenings such as mammograms than those with coverage, and were less likely to have a regular doctor than their insured counterparts.

The report paints a bleak health care picture for the uninsured. "It represents an explosion of the insurance crisis into those with moderate incomes," said Sara Collins, a senior program officer at the Commonwealth Fund.

Collins said the study also illustrates how more employers are dropping coverage or are offering plans that are just too expensive for many people.

more...

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/thrive/2006/apr/26/042606597.html

[Maat]

29. I've just been hearing this from everyone I meet.

I'm heavily involved in building a few progressive groups, and it seems as if everyone I meet or communicate with is uninsured. We have our own business; luckily, we have found a reasonably-priced policy for our family through Blue Cross of California. $500 per month with a fairly large deductible (2,500 per family member per year, $5,000 cap) is still an amount that is way beyond what many folks could afford.

[woo me with science]

30. Yep, I think the time is finally right

for a universal health care proposal.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

31. kickin

I'm back in this boat too. :(

[Mojorabbit]

32. My husband still can't get insurance

and he is a physician who had a heart attact at age 44 which was 7 years ago. No one will touch him at any price and we have tried everywhere.

[caligirl]

33. Your husband represents what I fear the most. A capable able person

with a solid education has one bad thing happen and life changes dramatically for him. I'm sending my son to a very good college at 45,000 a year, which we can't really afford but we are doing it anyway, in an effort to try to help him get off on a better foot in this area. He's had juvenile diabetes four years now. His major is Economics.

[Mojorabbit]

34. I hope for the best for your son

My hubby's insurance quit writing policies in my state and dropped him. He is doing great with no problems at all health wise but I live in fear of a hospitalization. It would wipe us out.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

35. Not to mention the folks below moderate income.

[NVMojo]

36. ...and with weakened immune systems ...perfect hosts for plagues

[DeepModem Mom]

37. CNN/Reuters: Percent who skip health insurance jumps

Percent who skip health insurance jumps
Study: More than 40 percent with moderate income go uninsured
Wednesday, April 26, 2006

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- More than 40 percent of Americans making between $20,000 and $40,000 a year went without insurance for at least part of the year last year, according to a study published Wednesday.

The research by The Commonwealth Fund also found that 20 percent of working adults are paying off medical debt -- often $2,000 or more -- and 60 percent of uninsured adults with chronic illnesses such as heart disease skip pills to save money.

The Commonwealth Fund researchers called the 40 percent figure a "dramatic and rapid increase from 2001," when 28 percent of people in this moderate income bracket were uninsured.

The group, which does the survey every other year, also found that 67 percent of the 48 million going without insurance were in families where at least one person worked full-time....

http://www.cnn.com/2006/HEALTH/04/26/health.uninsured.reut/index.html

[Captain Hilts]

38. And we call ourselves a "Christian" nation. Brother's keeper? NOT! nt

[blonndee]

39. "Skip" health insurance.

What a fucked-up headline. Like most of us have a goddamned choice.

[gumby]

40. "SKIP"?????

FUCK YOU MEDIA. "SKIP"????

Yes, I'm screaming!!!!

Maybe you high-paid media shills would like to pay my medical bills???

The mainstream media are KILLING AMERICANS!!!!!

[lovuian]

41. We need Universal Health the system is falling apart...

When we get to 40 % thats absolutely ridiculous.......

[Media_Lies_Daily]

42. Using the word "skip" implies that they had a choice....

...to pay or not to pay, and that's not the case at all.

Many people are facing very difficult choices these days. With the cost of everything going up, choosing between paying for food, utilities, gas, clothing and other necessary items is becoming more difficult with each passing day.

Thanks for all that you do, NeoCon Junta.

[Robbien]

43. Income of $20,000 is moderate?

My, how our world has changed.

[azurnoir]

44. Yeah it gets skipped

like this - gee hon looks like we can get food or medical coverage wadda'ya think if we skip food and wind up in the hospital for IV feeding we still have to pay a $2500 deductable and we can't afford that either so I guess we might as well buy food and skip the medical

[Vinca]

45. Yesterday I went to an auction preview and took an informal poll

among other antique/collectible dealers. It was 100%: no one had insurance. One guy had just given his up. If you're self-employed, a little older, have any sort of chronic condition, the cost of insurance amounts to several months of income. Eat, insurance. Eat, insurance. Eat, insurance. That's the choice.