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US Poverty Rate Dips, but Uninsured Swell

Income inequality reaches all-time high

By Caroline Zimmerman,  Newser User

Posted Aug 29, 2007 4:30 AM CDT
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(Newser) – The US poverty rate has finally taken a downturn for the first time in 10 years, census figures show. The poverty rate was 12.3% in 2006, down from 12.6% the previous year, and annual household income rose to $48,200. But the news isn't all rosy: the number of people without health insurance soared to a record 47 million, and income inequality has never been greater.

Fewer people have health insurance due to the continuing decline in employer-sponsored insurance coverage, census officials said. Even the income jump is misleading. It's mainly the result of more people working full-time jobs in a single household, rather than an increase in wages. The White House called them "good numbers," but Democrats see them as evidence of flawed economic policies.

A group of children make their way home from a grade school in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2007, in Cincinnati. Ohio has the distinction of having two cities in the U.S. Census Bureau's list of poorest big cities, with Cincinnati third, and Cleveland fourth. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)
A group of children make their way home from a grade school in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2007, in Cincinnati. Ohio has the distinction of having two cities in the U.S. Census...   (Associated Press)
the public has been increasing. Average wages remain low at about US$62 (euro45) per month and average pensions hover around US$30 (euro22) _ making subsidies for electricity and gas payments for retirees and war veterans a substantial aid.(AP Photo/Shakh Aivazov)
the public has been increasing. Average wages remain low at about US$62 (euro45) per month and average pensions hover around US$30 (euro22) _ making subsidies for electricity and gas payments for retirees...   (Associated Press)
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg speaks at the Brookings Center on Children and Families briefing about the Census Poverty Report at the National Press Club, Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2007 in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg speaks at the Brookings Center on Children and Families briefing about the Census Poverty Report at the National Press Club, Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2007 in Washington. (AP...   (Associated Press)
5,000 population. (AP Photo/Mike Derer)
5,000 population. (AP Photo/Mike Derer)   (Associated Press)
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COMMENTS
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Poverty decrease is good news, but it's old news too
International Herald Tribune

Rural poverty remains unchanged
Reuters

US • Health • Money • Politics

 
health care • health insurance • insurance • income • poverty • poverty rate

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