According to NCHS, aproximately 16.6 percent on Americans were without health insurance in 2008.
In June 2008, the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) reported that about 16.6 percent of Americans lacked health insurance. This estimate included U.S. residents under the age of 65. The percentage of adults without health insurance was higher than that of children. The survey showed that a large percentage of children were insured through state funded children's health programs. But children and adults who do not have health insurance face a number of concerns.
Undiagnosed Illness or Disease
People who lack health insurance are less likely to visit the doctor's office for routine exams.
People without health insurance are less likely to visit a doctor for routine health exams, health screenings or yearly check-ups. These individuals may not have a family doctor or trusted physician as their primary care provider. Many types of serious illness have few early warning signs or symptoms. Diseases such as breast and cervical cancers, heart disease, high blood pressure and many others are often diagnosed during regular health exams. By not receiving yearly check-ups, individuals without health insurance are less likely to have an early diagnosis of serious illness or disease, and are less likely to receive early treatment.
Untreated Illness
A study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that patients without insurance delay seeking medical help, even in the occurrence of a life threatening illness. The study was conducted among 24 hospitals across the U.S., and included uninsured individuals who had recently survived a heart attack. A large majority of these patients put off seeking medical help at the onset of symptoms, due to the high cost of medical treatment and lack of insurance.
A survey on health in the U.S., conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics (2009) demonstrates that the uninsured are less likely to seek needed medical treatment because of financial concerns.
Lack of Medical Supplies and Medications
People without insurance may skip medications.
According to a study conducted by the New Mexico Public Interest Research Group (NMPIRG), which evaluated 600 pharmacies in 35 cities throughout the state in 2006, uninsured consumers in Albuquerque pay 61.5 percent more for common prescription drugs than what the drug companies charge the federal government.
Because of the high cost of many prescription medications, uninsured individuals are more likely to attempt to "cut down" on needed prescriptions, or not use them at all. Individual reports show that uninsured people who have asthma, epilepsy, diabetes, heart conditions, HIV or AIDS, as well as many other chronic conditions, consistently skip medications or take less medication than prescribed in an effort to try to afford the drugs.
Loss of Property and Savings
A single medical problem can cost an uninsured person an entire life's savings.
In 2009, the CDC reported that more than $2.2 trillion is spent annually on health care in the U.S. The cost of medical treatment continues to rise, while the uninsured must pay out-of-pocket for all inpatient and outpatient treatments, medications, emergency room visits and other medical needs.
In 2009, the average cost of an emergency room visit was $2,500, according to ConsumerHealthRatings.com. An outpatient surgery for hernia removal, for example, cost between $6,000 and $13,000 in 2007. Outpatient gall bladder removal cost between $6,000 and $12,000. The same two surgeries, when performed as a part of inpatient care can cost up to $40,000. Most uninsured individuals simply cannot afford to become sick or injured.
Premature Death
The uninsured are 81 percent more likely to die prematurely.
A survey conducted by the American College of Emergency Physicians found that the uninsured are 81 percent more likely to die prematurely than those who have health insurance. Lack of regular medical check-ups, lack of medications and failure to seek medical attention all contribute to the higher rate of mortality seen among uninsured individuals.
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