CDC: Private health coverage at 50-year low

About 65 percent of non-elderly Americans had such insurance in '08

updated 7:35 p.m. ET, Wed., July 1, 2009

ATLANTA - The percentage of Americans with private health insurance has hit its lowest mark in 50 years, according to two new government reports.

About 65 percent of non-elderly Americans had private insurance in 2008, down from 67 percent the year before, according to preliminary data released Wednesday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Some experts blamed the faltering economy and corporate decisions to raise health insurance premiums - or do away with employee coverage - as the main drivers of the recent data. They say coverage statistics for 2009 may look even worse...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31693228/ns/health-health_care/

And this shortfall is then covered by public options not designed for this kind of influx and the needs of many of these patients. Which is just another reason why the health care bill needs a public option designed to meet these needs.