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Ranks of Uninsured Grow; Poverty Rate Soars

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 10, 2009 11:11 AM CDT

(Newser) – The number of uninsured Americans rose to 46.3 million last year, up from 45.7 million in 2007, as the poverty rate hit an 11-year high, the Census Bureau announced today. The poverty rate was 13.2% for 2008, up from 12.5% in 2007, the largest annual jump since 2004. The White House says the figures underscore the need for health care reform and the importance of the stimulus, reports the Wall Street Journal.

Patients await their turn for medical care at the St. John's Well Child and Family Center, which oversees clinics that treat Los Angeles' poor and uninsured. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Cassandra Kelsey, 55 has a variety of paperwork seen on, Feb. 26, 2009. Kelsey was recently laid off from her job and is now struggling with being unemployed and uninsured. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

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Showing 3 of 15 comments

WallyEFunk

Sep 11, 2009 3:51 AM CDT

I don't think ther counting illigal totally I don't think the Census Bureau would get too many true numbers from them? And reader65 How do U score -3 ( @ this time) for asking a question? Some PPl are agains't U for a question?

Reader65069154

Sep 10, 2009 8:49 AM CDT

Well then why didn't you just say that until there's some good news, it will be the Bush economy?

odowd80

Sep 10, 2009 7:42 AM CDT

@Reader: 2009 is not over yet, but no, I'm sure they have gotten much worse. My point was that Tim was blaming Obama for numbers he was not responsible for. And, considering your hero Reagan was blaming Carter for the economy in 1982, I think its safe to say that this is still the Bush economy.

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Ranks of Uninsured Grow; Poverty Rate Soars

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poverty • poverty rate • health care reform • uninsured • Obama administration

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The Church Has to Live With Birth Control

Gail Collins doesn't think new rules are impinging on religious freedom

Nearly Half of Americans Are Poor, Low-Income

New metric includes living costs

On Way Out, Medicare Boss Bashes 'Extreme' Waste

Donald Berwick says 20-30% of health care spending helps no one

Appeals Court: Health Reform Constitutional

White House chalks up third US appeals court victory

Ranks of Poorest Poor Swell to New High

One in 15 live below half the poverty level

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Ranks of Uninsured Grow; Poverty Rate Soars

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

poverty • poverty rate • health care reform • uninsured • Obama administration

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

The Church Has to Live With Birth Control

Gail Collins doesn't think new rules are impinging on religious freedom

Nearly Half of Americans Are Poor, Low-Income

New metric includes living costs

On Way Out, Medicare Boss Bashes 'Extreme' Waste

Donald Berwick says 20-30% of health care spending helps no one

Appeals Court: Health Reform Constitutional

White House chalks up third US appeals court victory

Ranks of Poorest Poor Swell to New High

One in 15 live below half the poverty level

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Newser By Users

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What is Newser?