What is the health impact of being uninsured?
From the Kaiser Foundations The Uninsured: A Primer: There is a strong relationship between health insurance coverage and access to medical services. Health insurance makes a substantial difference in the amount and kind of health care people are able to afford, as well as where they obtain care. Research has repeatedly shown that the lack of insurance ultimately compromises persons health because they are less likely to receive preventive care, are more likely to be hospitalized for avoidable health problems, and are more likely to be diagnosed in the late-stages of disease. Having insurance improves health overall and could reduce mortality rates for the uninsured by 10 to 15%.
