Big Increase Seen in People Lacking Health Insurance

The Census Bureau reported Tuesday that the number of Americans without health insurance grew by 2.4 million last year, the largest increase in a decade, as health costs soared and many workers lost coverage provided by employers. The increase brought the proportion of uninsured people to 15.2 percent, up from 14.6 percent in 2001. The figure's recent peak was 16.3 percent in 1998. The main reason for the increase, the bureau said, was the continued erosion of employer-sponsored coverage. The proportion of Americans with insurance from employers declined to 61.3 percent, from 62.6 percent in 2001 and 63.6 percent in 2000. "Workplace coverage is becoming unaffordable for many employers and employees," said Kate Sullivan, director of health care policy for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The number of full-time workers without health insurance rose by 897,000 last year to 19.9 million. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson said the numbers show that "the nation must do more" to help the uninsured. Congress should provide tax credits for the purchase of private insurance, Thompson said.

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