Can you imagine how much this would cost America in sick leave and free medical treatment? Unreal. Friday December 15 1:41 PM ET US Uninsured Could Top 61 Million by 2009 NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Assuming continued economic growth and moderate healthcare cost inflation, America's uninsured population will exceed 48 million by 2009, according to study results released Friday by the Health Insurance Association of America (HIAA). But if the economy sours and the country enters a recession, that number could swell to more than 61 million, the study found. Those predictions of a growing uninsured population follow the US Census Bureau's recent report that the number of uninsured in the US declined by 1.7 million between 1998 and 1999--the first decline since the Census Bureau began collecting health insurance data in 1987. Despite the decline, HIAA said an examination of the underlying factors affecting coverage shows that the number is likely to rise over the next 8 years. ``The survey shows that in this 'as good as it gets' economy, employers are contributing mightily to coverage for their employees,'' said HIAA President Chip Kahn. Still, more than 42 million Americans currently lack healthcare coverage, he added, warning that an economic downturn could lead to a significant increase in the ranks of the uninsured. Drs. William S. Custer and Pat Ketsche of Georgia State University's Center for Risk Management and Insurance Research conducted the analysis based on data from the 1998 and 2000 Current Population Survey. They also found that rapid economic growth coupled with soaring healthcare cost inflation would lead to roughly 55 million uninsured in 2009. ------------------ Mmmmmmm. Sacrelicious.
Another reason Ralph should be the president. ------------------ Ceo of the Walt Williams fan club. Web site coming soon atheistalliance.org
I hope somebody will bookmark this article for when all the fair-minded, objective liberals on the board start blaming Bush for this.
Bush will only be blamed for this if he does absolutely nothing about it. I hope he proves all of us, regardless of party affiliation, wrong. ------------------ "Blues is a Healer" --John Lee Hooker
To me, the most unfortunate POLICY issue with Clinton's presidency was health care. He ran using health care reform as one of his main (if not THE main) platform. He entrusted it to Hillary and her plan failed miserably. He had 8 years and not much was accomplished in the health care issue. ------------------
I always have wondered why Hilary Clinton was so dammed for her Health Reform proposal. I don't know enough about it to comment...but I do know it was based on our own 'Medicare' system (everyone pays a contributory tax towards it) and we are thus all covered. It sure isn't perfect...but it's extremely effective in ensuring no one ever gets left out...and that no one gets astronomical bills for life saving operations. ------------------
How is it that every thread here manages now to somehow become a political discussion? ------------------ Mmmmmmm. Sacrelicious.
It seems that posters' political stances have become more hardened in the Hangout Forum since the election. Mango ------------------ Lets get the Mo Go working! Test Your NBA Trade Ideas 1. Put new topics in the proper forum. Things happening in the rest of the NBA 2. Use clear wording for new threads. 3. No duplicate threads 4. Conduct yourself as an adult. The Serious Police are watching. Donate Blood or be assimilated!
Well, it is for politicians and those forming policy. It most certainly is NOT for those who are sick and cannot afford it. I was just pointing out what a mess we had and how tragic it is that many go with out proper medical care as a result. I wasn't really asking for solutions or a political debate. ------------------ Mmmmmmm. Sacrelicious.
Unfortunately, the answer of "what can we do about it?" is logically channeled to the political arena. It is a growing problem and in my opinion, health insurance is the "real" devil , which we all dislike but need it. For a majority of workers with health plans; it isn't a problem. The main thing is how can coverage be applied to those who can't pay the ever increasing premium or are'nt exposed to health insurance? Somehow, someway, there must be an acceptable solution. ------------------ Sometimes you gotta do the next best thing!
ROXRAN: You are right on. To me, I just think healthcare is part of that "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" business. You can't have life or the pursuit of happiness if you are sick. In many ways, it is like homelessness or people who are starving. I believe that we have a moral responsibility to make sure everyone has food, shelter, clothing and healthcare. The problem is how do we achieve healthcare in particular when it is a business that has no real interest in giving away its services? They certainly shouldn't have to bear the whole responsibility but neither should taxpayers. It's a tough situation that must be addressed. ------------------ Mmmmmmm. Sacrelicious.
