New Census Data Shows Thousands More Children Are Slipping Through The Cracks

ALEXANDRIA, VA – The U.S. Census Bureau released new data showing that, for the second consecutive year, the number of uninsured children has risen and is now at its highest rate since 1999. Issued today, the Census report shows that nearly 700,000 more children lost their health coverage between 2005 and 2006.
The new data showed that last year, 11.7% of all kids were without health coverage, and the percentage of children retaining coverage through employers has continued its trend downward, reaching a record low of 59.7%.

Further, the percentage of uninsured kids from families who make between $50,000 and $75,000 was 10.1% in 2006, an increase from 8.5% the previous year. This income range encompasses 250%-300% of the federal poverty level.

Despite the continuing increase in the number of uninsured between 250% and 300% of poverty, last week the Bush Administration released an administrative letter removing these children from the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

“These numbers paint a woeful picture for our children’s future,” said Bruce Lesley, President of First Focus. “Interestingly, the data shows substantial increases in the number of uninsured children in families earning $50,000-$75,000. More unfortunately, is that the unconscionable actions of the Bush Administration will force those uninsured children to go without any coverage, as they are no longer eligible for enrollment in State Children’s Health Insurance Programs,” Lesley continued.

Moreover, the data shows that in 2006, 17.4% of all kids lived below the federal poverty level, which is nearly 13 million kids. In contrast, the national percentage of all Americans living in poverty is 12.3%, meaning that in 2006, 35.2% of all people living in poverty were children, an increase from 2005 numbers.

“The rate of children in poverty continues to rise; as do the number of kids with no health insurance. And now the census shows more families do not have access to or cannot afford employer-based health insurance, and their children are not getting the flu shots and vaccinations they need to grow up healthy.”