Contact: Laura Clay Trueman
August 26, 2004
(202) 626-8573
Washington D.C.

Number of Uninsured Climbs:
Consensus for Action Builds

Today the U.S. Census Bureau released figures showing that the number of Americans without health insurance coverage has risen from 43.3 million to “XXX” million in 2003, continuing a dangerous trend of steep increases in the uninsured over 13 out of the last 15 years. The uninsured now represent 17% of the U.S. population.

“Now, more than ever, those who live with the fear of medical catastrophe and bankruptcy need relief,” states Laura Clay Trueman, Executive Director of the Coalition for Affordable Health Coverage. “Hardest hit are low wage earners. Millions of working Americans earn too much to qualify for public programs, but either don’t have access to employer-sponsored health insurance or can’t afford to participate in their workplace health plan. A refundable and advanceable tax credit can help them gain access to healthcare coverage.”

Congress will be under increased pressure to offer a healping hand to Americans needing health insurance and there is reason to hope that the 109th Congress will respond. “In discussions with Chairman Thomas and his staff, it is clear that there is a strong commitment to focus policy changes on those most in need, particularly 21 to 31 million people who are uninsured for a year or longer,” says Janet Trautwein, CAHC Board Member and Vice President of the National Association of Health Underwriters. “Targeting those most in need makes this more affordable at a time when Congress is faces enormous budget pressures.”

Also paving the way for action on the uninsured is a growing consensus among key policy makers. Senate Majority Leader Frist (R-TX) and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Thomas (R-CA) both support individual tax credits as a way of helping people afford coverage. President Bush and Senator Kerry (D-MA), the Democratic presidential nominee both include individual tax credits in their healthcare proposals.

CAHC Members: AdvaMed, Aetna, AHIP, American College of Cardiology, American Medical Association, American Osteopathic Association, Assurant Health, ALEC, Bayer, Federation of American Hospitals, FMC Corporation, GlaxoSmithKline, HLC, NAHU, NAM, NASE, PhRMA, UnitedHealth, US Chamber of Commerce, WIPP, Wyeth.