Report: 65,000 Missourians lost health insurance in ‘09
WASHINGTON — Families USA, a national organization pushing for health-care reform, released a report this morning estimating the loss of health insurance due to rising unemployment.
Extrapolating from recent Census data, the group released reports for Missouri and Nebraska, concluding that the number of uninsured adults in Missouri under the age of 65 rose by 65,000 so far this year — to 672,000 from 607,000. (Nebraska uninsured increased by 10,600.)
“People who get a pink slip experience a double whammy. They not only lose their jobs, they lose their health care as well,” Familes USA executive director Ron Pollack said in a conference call with reporters.
Pollack pointed to unemployment statistics for Missouri: In 2008, joblessness averaged 6.1 percent. This year so far, it has averaged 8.8 percent.
Pollack observed that the number of uninsured Americans is often put at 46 million, based on Census data for 2008. But the accurate number is over 50 million because of ongoing job losses, he said.
About 3-in-5 adults under 65 get health insurance through their employers. Pollack and other speakers described the plight of newly unemployed people who often are unable to afford COBRA or private insurance.
Rep. Russ Carnahan, D-St. Louis, who took part in the session with reporters, said the numbers convey “a sense of urgency … We know it’s not sustainable, it’s not affordable and it’s not fair.”
The clock is ticking. Every hour another 5 Americans die because they lack health insurance. Call your “pro-life” Republican Congressmen today. Tell your Congressman somethings in life are more important that corporate profits….And then ask: Just how pro-life and pro-family are you to the constituents of your district? I would like to hear his bumbling answer.
Just because you have been laid off does not mean you have definitely lost all insurance coverage. My husband was laid off but is still insured by my health coverage. This is just another ploy for politicians to push for national coverage!!!!
“It’s not affordable and it’s not fair” is absolutely right. Health insurers used to be non-profit organizations. When health insurers in Missouri became “for profit” companies about 10 years ago, big business and greed took over. This situation is definitely not sustainable. Go Russ!
To unknown who commented that her husband was covered under her health insurance, what about the households where both husband and wife have been laid off or lost their jobs? They do exist!
Garrison - “pro-life” is only used around election time to woo the “faith based organizations”. Like fashion here one day gone the next not thrown away just stored away in the closet to be pull out 4 years from now. The lobbyist are so embedded on capitol hill nothing can productive gets done. With that kind of influence (pressure) this may not ever get done (wait) it may just like the prescription drug program for seniors in 04…..written by and for the benefit of insures.
i wish that people would lay off of these insurance companies…I mean…they definitely have OUR best interests at heart, right? I agree with all of the Teabaggers and Town-Hallers that the government is behind all of the problems…I mean, Medicare is nothing more than a secret plan to kill old people…that’s why they cover like 90% of medical costs and insurance companies cover…well never mind. We need to band together and PROTECT the insurance companies because they will ALWAYS look out for us and protect us over the shareholders.
And the fact that lobbyists for the HMOs are spending $50 million a day to distort the debate and muddy the waters is completely NOT related to the inaction in Congress to move this along.
Just because you have been laid off does not mean you have definitely lost all insurance coverage. My husband was laid off but is still insured by my health coverage. This is just another ploy for politicians to push for national coverage!!!!
No wonder you used the screen name you did-”Unknown Comic” would have more accurate. I have friends who BOTH lost their jobs through no falut of their own…the wife now has stage 3 lung cancer that has gone to her brain–oh they have insurance alright-CRAPPY insurance because that is all that they can afford.
You can take your lack of empathy and go to hell, sweetie. Get back to us when your COBRA kicks in and you are forking over 5 or 6 times what you did to your employer. Moron.
It’s interesting to note, that Medicare has denied the most claims of all providers, totaling 6% of the Medicare population. Yep, that’s right, our wonderful government.
Is it “not affordable and not fair” when you lose your job, can’t make your car payment, and they repo your car? Is it “not affordable and not fair” when you lose your job, and your house goes into foreclosure? Is it “not affordable and not fair” when you work a low wage job and have to eat hamburger instead of steak?
To unknown:
Your husband lost his health insurance after being laid off. So, how do you get health care insurance coverage if you are laid off or disabled. Can you afford to pay a $1,000 a month in premiums, that is if you not rejected by the insurance companies for a pre-existing condition.
Use some common sense and think ahead.
Go health care Reform!