Schizophrenia Daily News Blog

US Citizens without Health Insurance Climbed to 46 Million in 2005

The Wall Street Journal reported today that "people without health insurance increased to 46.6 million in 2005", an increase of approximately 1.3 million people over the 45.3 million who had no health insurance in 2004.

Additionally, "The Census Bureau reported Tuesday that 37 million Americans were living under the poverty line last year -- about 12.6% of the population. That is down from 12.7% in 2004, but census officials said the change was statistically insignificant. The last decline in the poverty rate was in 2000, during the Clinton administration, when it dropped to 11.3%."

The Wall Street Journal further commented that:

With the poverty rate steady but median household income rising, "that could represent an increase in inequality" between the wealthy and the poor, said David Johnson, chief of the Housing and Household Economic Statistics Division of the Census Bureau.

Further Reading: The US Census Bureau report - Health Insurance Coverage 2005 Report

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