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There are nearly 44 million Americans living without health coverage – including 8.5 million children. In 2002, the number of people without health coverage increased by more than 2 million, the largest one-year increase in a decade. Unfortunately, the problem won't get better soon. Rising health care costs continue to undermine the ability of individuals, businesses and state governments to purchase health care coverage. Reversing this disturbing trend, elevating this issue on the national and local agendas, educating Americans about the problem and providing immediate assistance to the uninsured and small business owners are the goals of Cover the Uninsured.

How Does this Impact NC?

• 16% of North Carolinians are without health insurance
• 120,803 Mecklenburg residents without health insurance
• 99,506 adults ages 18 - 64 are uninsured
• 20% of adults in NC
• 855,528 non-elderly people who are from families with at least one full-time worker
• 163,023 non-elderly uninsured people who are from families with at least one part-time worker

Health Services Costs Borne by Uninsured Themselves:

• They are often charged substantially more than insured patients
• Have greater out of pocket expenses
• Diminished health
• Shorter life spans
• Potential for bankruptcy
• Developmental risks for children
• Increased risk of adverse events, such as complications of pregnancy and chronic disease
• Less likely to receive medications that are standard of care

For more information view the article: "Who are the Uninsured?"

Health Services Costs to the Community, Associated with Uninsurance

• Increased disability claims
• Decreased work productivity
• Increased criminal justice expenses, due to lack of treatment for mental illness
• Increased burden on public health resources, surveillance, health education, preparedness
• Increase in preventable hospitalizations
• Increased risk of communicable disease
• Increased cost burden on health care providers
• Increased tax burden
• Crowded emergency departments
• Reduced availability of clinic based care

For more information view the article: "Covering the Uninsured ... How Much Would it Cost?"