The problem of the uninsured in this country continues to grow. Over the past five years, proportion of uninsured Americans has risen from 14.6% to 15.9% of the population. The statistics show disparities in insurance coverage among the various races, between native-born and non native-born citizens, and between other groups. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities partially links this change to the continuous decline in employer sponsored health insurance plans. This is a problem that needs to be addressed and addressed quickly.
Further exacerbating this problem is the cost of the uninsured and the government-insured to the taxpayers of the country. It is estimated that Medicare and Medicaid, the two largest government financed health care programs, will cost $301.5 and $176 billion respectively. These costs are projected to increase at a rate above GDP.
Since states are partially responsible for Medicaid costs and have a responsibility for the health of their citizenry, many states have taken it upon themselves to try to correct these problems.