The Uninsured in the United States

The total U.S. civilian non-institutionalized population in 2009 was estimated to be slightly more than 301 million, of whom 15.1 per cent or 45.5 million, were estimated by the American Community Survey to be without health insurance or uninsured. The uninsured are far more likely than those with health insurance to report problems getting needed medical care, less likely to follow recommended treatments because of costs, have less access to care, receive less preventive care, and are more likely to be hospitalized for avoidable health problems. Moreover, it is widely believed that the uninsured, when they need care, are less able to pay for their care since they do not have health insurance. Therefore, it also can be further assumed that other payers take on the financial burden of their care through higher prices. This book examines the plight of the uninsured in the United States today, by State and Congressional District.