Number of Uninsured Americans on the Rise

More Americans are now uninsured in 2011 than in 2008, according to a recent Gallup poll. The declining number of Americans who have health insurance has been evident in most population groups, with the exception of younger adults and seniors whose decline rate was within the margin of error. For those who are fortunate enough to have insurance, fewer of them are receiving it from their employer, likely because the employer can not afford to provide insurance or because the employee can not afford to purchase insurance.  Many factors are likely at play in the steady increase of the uninsured. As Gallup reports, while the unemployment rate may be lower in 2011 than in 2008, many more Americans still remain underemployed and thus unable to afford insurance. Health care costs are also continuing to rise with no end in sight, indicating that this trend is likely to continue.