The South Dying for Health Care

Rachel Maddow: The South Dying for Health Care

Source: healthreform.gov

Last week, the U.S. Census released its new numbers for the uninsured. The results are sobering and confirm that health insurance reform cannot wait another year. Nationwide, the number of uninsured increased from 39.8 million in 2001 to 46.3 million in 2008.

The status quo is not an option. The number of uninsured in South Carolina has increased from 471,000 in 2001 to 707,000 in 2008. The percent of non-elderly adults without insurance increased from 15.4% to 20.5%.

Private coverage is eroding under the status quo. The percentage of people with employer-based coverage decreased from 73.2% of the population in 2001 to 64.5% in 2008.

More workers are being left without protection from health care costs. Too many workers in South Carolina do not have health coverage, at 377,000 in 2008. And the proportion of workers from South Carolina without insurance has increased, from 14.3% in 2001 to 18.5% in 2008.

The problem of the uninsured is a problem that crosses income brackets. The new Census numbers also drive home the fact that everyone in South Carolina is vulnerable to losing health insurance. An additional 24,000 people from high-income households are now uninsured.

The problem of the uninsured is a problem that crosses income brackets. The new Census numbers also drive home the fact that everyone in South Carolina is vulnerable to losing health insurance. An additional 24,000 people from high-income households are now uninsured.