Source: US Census Bureau 17 Sept 2010

The US Census Bureau announced today that the number of people without health insurance coverage rose from 46.3 million in 2008 to 50.7 million in 2009, an increase of 9.5%. The recession is most apparent reason for the increase in the uninsured because of workers losing jobs, struggling companies dropping their health insurance benefits, and families going without medical coverage to cut costs.

Between 2008 and 2009, the number of people covered by private health insurance decreased by 6.5 million, while the number covered by government health insurance climbed by 5.8 million. The number covered by employment-based health insurance declined by 6.6 million. And, the number with Medicaid coverage increased by 5.2 million. These findings are contained in the report Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2009.

For the complete news release concerning this report visit the US Census Bureau and read more.