Study: One in four Americans without health insurance coverage

Washingtn, D.C., United States (AHN) – One in four Americans went without health insurance for at least a period of time in 2011, a new report released Thursday reveals.

The study from The Commonwealth Fund, a nonprofit that analyzes health care issues, polled 2,100 people aged 19 to 64 and found that 26 percent of non-elderly adults, or roughly 48 million Americans, went without coverage last year.

The survey also uncovered that seven of those 10 who lost insurance spent a year or more without coverage. Cost and affordability were cited as the prime reasons.

Without health insurance, people forgo basic medical services such as doctor visits and screenings for cancer, high blood pressure and cholesterol. In the long run, the costs over covering these issues can be extremely pricey.

The revelations come as President Barack Obama’s Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act aims to close the growing gaps in health insurance by 2014, by extending coverage to more than 30 million uninsured Americans.

The Commonwealth Fund noted that more than 40 percent of those who lost insurance had been covered by employer sponsored plans, another 18 percent were dropped from Medicaid roll and another 27 percent had never been insured.

The poll was conducted online from June 24 to July 5, 2011.

The findings reflect the lingering affects from the economic recession.

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