The Misrepresented 47 Million Americans!!

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At this point we have heard this mystical number of 47 Million Uninsured American's that we need to show compassion too. Well if you have been paying attention you would have also heard that this number is grossly misrepresentative of the acutal figure.

Here we have June O'Neill, former CBO director of the Congressional Budget Office, who recently released a study with the compositions of this group. Some of her findings:

• (1/4), One quarter of those counted as uninsured - 12 million- are eligible for Medicaid and SCHIP but have NOT enrolled.

• 43 percent of the uninsured have incomes higher than 250 percent of the poverty level ($55,125 for a family of four).
  --And slightly more than a third have incomes in excess of $66,000.

• Most of the uninsured are young and in good health:
  -- the CBO reports roughly 60 percent are under 35
  -- 86 percent report that they are in good or excellent health.

• Most people without health insurance are uninsured for a relatively short period of time. -- Only about 30 percent of the uninsured remain so for more than a year
  -- Approximately 16 percent for two years
  -- Less than 2.5 percent for three years or longer.
  -- About half are uninsured for six months or less.