Comments on: New Census numbers: 37.3 million living in poverty; 45.7 million uninsured. http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/26/new-census-numbers-poverty-rates-hold-steady-number-of-uninsured-drops-to-457-million/ Thu, 26 Nov 2009 14:09:49 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: DavidHart http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/26/new-census-numbers-poverty-rates-hold-steady-number-of-uninsured-drops-to-457-million/comment-page-1/#comment-5185638 DavidHart Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:03:07 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/26/new-census-numbers-poverty-rates-hold-steady-number-of-uninsured-drops-to-457-million/#comment-5185638 Given the extent of poverty in this nation, you would think that <strong>the Christian right has more important issues than same-sex marriage</strong>. In their last fiscal year, AFA spent $17 million- it seems mostly on gay bashing, had a $5 million surplus and has assets of $39 million (of which $21 million is liquid). Their donations to charity were all of $64,500 dollars. Whoever accused these crackpots of being rational? Given the extent of poverty in this nation, you would think that the Christian right has more important issues than same-sex marriage. In their last fiscal year, AFA spent $17 million- it seems mostly on gay bashing, had a $5 million surplus and has assets of $39 million (of which $21 million is liquid). Their donations to charity were all of $64,500 dollars.

Whoever accused these crackpots of being rational?

]]> By: stateofthedivision http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/26/new-census-numbers-poverty-rates-hold-steady-number-of-uninsured-drops-to-457-million/comment-page-1/#comment-5185428 stateofthedivision Tue, 26 Aug 2008 18:12:17 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/26/new-census-numbers-poverty-rates-hold-steady-number-of-uninsured-drops-to-457-million/#comment-5185428 Roughly 40 million were uninsured when George W. took office, nearly eight years ago. If this is his final report card, he oversaw a 5.7 million increase, just over 14%. He and Al Hubbard should be so proud. Bush and his ex-insurance company pal sent loads of business to private health insurers. Did I mention George W's Uncle Bucky sits on the Board of WellPoint, a giant health insurer? One chair over is Mrs. Evan Bayh, wife of the Blue Dog Democrat. Who wants to bet they're enjoying cocktails and finger food at the BigOil reception? Roughly 40 million were uninsured when George W. took office, nearly eight years ago.

If this is his final report card, he oversaw a 5.7 million increase, just over 14%. He and Al Hubbard should be so proud.

Bush and his ex-insurance company pal sent loads of business to private health insurers. Did I mention George W’s Uncle Bucky sits on the Board of WellPoint, a giant health insurer? One chair over is Mrs. Evan Bayh, wife of the Blue Dog Democrat. Who wants to bet they’re enjoying cocktails and finger food at the BigOil reception?

]]> By: theswan http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/26/new-census-numbers-poverty-rates-hold-steady-number-of-uninsured-drops-to-457-million/comment-page-1/#comment-5185338 theswan Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:58:17 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/26/new-census-numbers-poverty-rates-hold-steady-number-of-uninsured-drops-to-457-million/#comment-5185338 These figures may look good when 2008 figures are released a year from now. But will anyone remember GWB had everything to do with them? These figures may look good when 2008 figures are released a year from now.
But will anyone remember GWB had everything to do with them?

]]> By: stateofthedivision http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/26/new-census-numbers-poverty-rates-hold-steady-number-of-uninsured-drops-to-457-million/comment-page-1/#comment-5185330 stateofthedivision Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:58:01 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/26/new-census-numbers-poverty-rates-hold-steady-number-of-uninsured-drops-to-457-million/#comment-5185330 Yes, from the BigOil reception for Democratic legislators to the AT&T reception to the union gatherings. Don't forget SEIU President Andy Stern declared employer sponsored health care dead and not coming back. Yes, from the BigOil reception for Democratic legislators to the AT&T reception to the union gatherings.

Don’t forget SEIU President Andy Stern declared employer sponsored health care dead and not coming back.

]]> By: freeman http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/26/new-census-numbers-poverty-rates-hold-steady-number-of-uninsured-drops-to-457-million/comment-page-1/#comment-5185296 freeman Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:50:45 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/26/new-census-numbers-poverty-rates-hold-steady-number-of-uninsured-drops-to-457-million/#comment-5185296 And yet the democrats and republicans are eating caviar and lobster tails with their lobbyist friends at their respective national conventions . And yet the democrats and republicans are eating caviar and lobster tails with their lobbyist friends at their respective national conventions .

]]> By: Kay http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/26/new-census-numbers-poverty-rates-hold-steady-number-of-uninsured-drops-to-457-million/comment-page-1/#comment-5185140 Kay Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:19:10 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/26/new-census-numbers-poverty-rates-hold-steady-number-of-uninsured-drops-to-457-million/#comment-5185140 Cheney, upon hearing this: "so..." Cheney, upon hearing this: “so…”

]]> By: stateofthedivision http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/26/new-census-numbers-poverty-rates-hold-steady-number-of-uninsured-drops-to-457-million/comment-page-1/#comment-5185062 stateofthedivision Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:00:35 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/26/new-census-numbers-poverty-rates-hold-steady-number-of-uninsured-drops-to-457-million/#comment-5185062 Interesting the question about states. The region with the largest percentage drop in the number of uninsured was the Northeast. Massachusetts implemented reform requiring citizens to purchase coverage, subsidizing those with fewer resources. I made some comments on the mixed nature of the report, should anyone be interested: http://peureport.blogspot.com/2008/08/new-report-on-poverty-uninsured-doesnt.html Interesting the question about states. The region with the largest percentage drop in the number of uninsured was the Northeast. Massachusetts implemented reform requiring citizens to purchase coverage, subsidizing those with fewer resources.

I made some comments on the mixed nature of the report, should anyone be interested:

http://peureport.blogspot.com/2008/08/new-report-on-poverty-uninsured-doesnt.html

]]> By: stateofthedivision http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/26/new-census-numbers-poverty-rates-hold-steady-number-of-uninsured-drops-to-457-million/comment-page-1/#comment-5185048 stateofthedivision Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:57:55 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/26/new-census-numbers-poverty-rates-hold-steady-number-of-uninsured-drops-to-457-million/#comment-5185048 I was shocked to see the number of uninsured fell from 2006 to 2007. I expected a 1.5 to 2 million rise. Most of the increase in coverage came from government sponsored health insurance and not employers. Medicaid coverage rose by 1.6 million people. This speaks to declining income. Medicare rose as well, including those highly profitable Medicare Advantage programs. Private health insuers currently make money off CHIP, Medicaid, Standard Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Medicare Part D. I was also shocked to see the hemmoraghing of employer sponsored health insurance stop, in terms of total numbers. Many likely shifted from standard coverage to high deductible health plans, but that data isn't captured in these estimates. Annual reports from UnitedHealth, Humana and WellPoint support the Census Bureau estimates of employers holding their own. While substantial needs remains, including 8.1 million uninsured children, watch how Pete Peterson's Foundation spins this report. The growth in government coverage will likely be used as a war banner. I was shocked to see the number of uninsured fell from 2006 to 2007. I expected a 1.5 to 2 million rise.

Most of the increase in coverage came from government sponsored health insurance and not employers.

Medicaid coverage rose by 1.6 million people. This speaks to declining income. Medicare rose as well, including those highly profitable Medicare Advantage programs.

Private health insuers currently make money off CHIP, Medicaid, Standard Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Medicare Part D.

I was also shocked to see the hemmoraghing of employer sponsored health insurance stop, in terms of total numbers. Many likely shifted from standard coverage to high deductible health plans, but that data isn’t captured in these estimates. Annual reports from UnitedHealth, Humana and WellPoint support the Census Bureau estimates of employers holding their own.

While substantial needs remains, including 8.1 million uninsured children, watch how Pete Peterson’s Foundation spins this report. The growth in government coverage will likely be used as a war banner.

]]> By: Frosty Cupcake http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/26/new-census-numbers-poverty-rates-hold-steady-number-of-uninsured-drops-to-457-million/comment-page-1/#comment-5184946 Frosty Cupcake Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:34:25 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/26/new-census-numbers-poverty-rates-hold-steady-number-of-uninsured-drops-to-457-million/#comment-5184946 I share Gimme's sentiment. I don't trust any number, statistic, or "fact" that comes out of the government. Between the cronies, flunkies, hacks, push conservatives, fundamentalists, and graduates of 4th tier universities like Regent, there's no telling what the truth is. Who knows what the real numbers are? I share Gimme’s sentiment.

I don’t trust any number, statistic, or “fact” that comes out of the government.

Between the cronies, flunkies, hacks, push conservatives, fundamentalists, and graduates of 4th tier universities like Regent, there’s no telling what the truth is.

Who knows what the real numbers are?

]]> By: shoeless http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/26/new-census-numbers-poverty-rates-hold-steady-number-of-uninsured-drops-to-457-million/comment-page-1/#comment-5184930 shoeless Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:28:33 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/26/new-census-numbers-poverty-rates-hold-steady-number-of-uninsured-drops-to-457-million/#comment-5184930 McCain has a plan for helping poor homeless people. It's called "Just Get 11 Houses". McCain has a plan for helping poor homeless people. It’s called “Just Get 11 Houses”.

]]> By: Tweedster http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/26/new-census-numbers-poverty-rates-hold-steady-number-of-uninsured-drops-to-457-million/comment-page-1/#comment-5184908 Tweedster Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:24:39 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/26/new-census-numbers-poverty-rates-hold-steady-number-of-uninsured-drops-to-457-million/#comment-5184908 I wonder what the state-by-state breakdown is. I wonder how the "Red States" are fairing in this economy...hmmmm... Hey trolls, time to start bashing Clinton (who really didn't do workers much of a service with the whole NAFTA thing) since NOTHING chimpy has done (or hasn't done) seems to be really bolstering the economy. How's your surplus check? I wonder what the state-by-state breakdown is. I wonder how the “Red States” are fairing in this economy…hmmmm…

Hey trolls, time to start bashing Clinton (who really didn’t do workers much of a service with the whole NAFTA thing) since NOTHING chimpy has done (or hasn’t done) seems to be really bolstering the economy.

How’s your surplus check?

]]> By: Doc Rock http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/26/new-census-numbers-poverty-rates-hold-steady-number-of-uninsured-drops-to-457-million/comment-page-1/#comment-5184740 Doc Rock Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:33:04 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/26/new-census-numbers-poverty-rates-hold-steady-number-of-uninsured-drops-to-457-million/#comment-5184740 You don't have to be a prisoner of war held by Communist monsters to have no house or health care in the Cheney-Bush-McCain Amerika. You don’t have to be a prisoner of war held by Communist monsters to have no house or health care in the Cheney-Bush-McCain Amerika.

]]> By: Gimme a Break http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/26/new-census-numbers-poverty-rates-hold-steady-number-of-uninsured-drops-to-457-million/comment-page-1/#comment-5184678 Gimme a Break Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:17:35 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/26/new-census-numbers-poverty-rates-hold-steady-number-of-uninsured-drops-to-457-million/#comment-5184678 These numbers concern me (they should concern all of us), but what is ever more disturbing is that they come from the government, and after this crew took hold, I don't trust anything coming out of our government. Isn't that a sad, sad commentary. Perhaps the Census Bureau is above the politicization . . . and maybe not. These numbers concern me (they should concern all of us), but what is ever more disturbing is that they come from the government, and after this crew took hold, I don’t trust anything coming out of our government. Isn’t that a sad, sad commentary. Perhaps the Census Bureau is above the politicization . . . and maybe not.

]]> By: Paul W http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/26/new-census-numbers-poverty-rates-hold-steady-number-of-uninsured-drops-to-457-million/comment-page-1/#comment-5184666 Paul W Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:12:24 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/26/new-census-numbers-poverty-rates-hold-steady-number-of-uninsured-drops-to-457-million/#comment-5184666 <em>New numbers released by the the Census Bureau this morning indicate “the nation’s poverty rate held steady at 12.5%, not statistically different from the 12.3% in 2006. That meant there were 37.3 million people living in poverty in 2007.” The number of uninsured dropped to 45.7 million (15.3 percent of the population), down from 47 million in 2006.</em> These numbers reflect only part of the picture. Not included are those families above the poverty line but still struggling to hold onto their homes. Or those who have insurance but can't use it because of the high deductibles and copays. http://progressiveworldreview.com New numbers released by the the Census Bureau this morning indicate “the nation’s poverty rate held steady at 12.5%, not statistically different from the 12.3% in 2006. That meant there were 37.3 million people living in poverty in 2007.” The number of uninsured dropped to 45.7 million (15.3 percent of the population), down from 47 million in 2006.

These numbers reflect only part of the picture. Not included are those families above the poverty line but still struggling to hold onto their homes. Or those who have insurance but can’t use it because of the high deductibles and copays.

http://progressiveworldreview.com

]]> By: unbelievable http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/26/new-census-numbers-poverty-rates-hold-steady-number-of-uninsured-drops-to-457-million/comment-page-1/#comment-5184654 unbelievable Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:04:24 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/26/new-census-numbers-poverty-rates-hold-steady-number-of-uninsured-drops-to-457-million/#comment-5184654 Those under the age of 18 were the most likely to be impoverished. In 2006 the poverty rate for minors in the <strong>United States was the highest in the industrialized world, with 21.9% of all minors and 30% of African American minors living below the poverty threshold.</strong> Moreover, the standard of living for those in the bottom 10% was lower in the U.S. than in any other developed nation except the United Kingdom, which had the lowest standard of living for impoverished children. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poverty_in_the_United_States Those under the age of 18 were the most likely to be impoverished. In 2006 the poverty rate for minors in the United States was the highest in the industrialized world, with 21.9% of all minors and 30% of African American minors living below the poverty threshold.

Moreover, the standard of living for those in the bottom 10% was lower in the U.S. than in any other developed nation except the United Kingdom, which had the lowest standard of living for impoverished children.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poverty_in_the_United_States

]]> By: unbelievable http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/26/new-census-numbers-poverty-rates-hold-steady-number-of-uninsured-drops-to-457-million/comment-page-1/#comment-5184650 unbelievable Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:03:21 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/26/new-census-numbers-poverty-rates-hold-steady-number-of-uninsured-drops-to-457-million/#comment-5184650 Poverty in the United States is cyclical in nature with roughly 12% to 16% living below the federal poverty line at any given point in time, and roughly 40% falling below the poverty line at some time within a 10 year time span. Most, 58.5%, of all Americans will spend at least one year beneath the poverty line at some point between ages 25 and 75. While there remains some controversy over whether the official poverty threshold over- or understates poverty, the United States has some of the highest absolute and relative pre- and post-transfer poverty rates in the developed world. <strong>Overall, the U.S. ranks 12th on the Human Poverty Index.</strong> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poverty_in_the_United_States Poverty in the United States is cyclical in nature with roughly 12% to 16% living below the federal poverty line at any given point in time, and roughly 40% falling below the poverty line at some time within a 10 year time span.

Most, 58.5%, of all Americans will spend at least one year beneath the poverty line at some point between ages 25 and 75.

While there remains some controversy over whether the official poverty threshold over- or understates poverty, the United States has some of the highest absolute and relative pre- and post-transfer poverty rates in the developed world.

Overall, the U.S. ranks 12th on the Human Poverty Index.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poverty_in_the_United_States

]]> By: paleolib http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/26/new-census-numbers-poverty-rates-hold-steady-number-of-uninsured-drops-to-457-million/comment-page-1/#comment-5184644 paleolib Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:02:31 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/26/new-census-numbers-poverty-rates-hold-steady-number-of-uninsured-drops-to-457-million/#comment-5184644 This is why a few of us sort of think it is a bad sign when a presidential candidate can't remember how many houses he owns and thinks the threshold for being classified as rich is in the $5 million range. This is why a few of us sort of think it is a bad sign when a presidential candidate can’t remember how many houses he owns and thinks the threshold for being classified as rich is in the $5 million range.

]]> By: unbelievable http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/26/new-census-numbers-poverty-rates-hold-steady-number-of-uninsured-drops-to-457-million/comment-page-1/#comment-5184638 unbelievable Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:59:44 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/26/new-census-numbers-poverty-rates-hold-steady-number-of-uninsured-drops-to-457-million/#comment-5184638 At 12.5%, we are at a similar level as countries like Bulgaria (12.8), Jordan (14.2), and Thailand (13.6) Mexico is at 17.6%, while Canada is only 10.8% France is 6.2%, Ireland is 6% and Norway is 4.3% http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_percentage_of_population_living_in_poverty At 12.5%, we are at a similar level as countries like Bulgaria (12.8), Jordan (14.2), and Thailand (13.6)

Mexico is at 17.6%, while Canada is only 10.8%

France is 6.2%, Ireland is 6% and Norway is 4.3%

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_percentage_of_population_living_in_poverty

]]> By: christopher wiwi http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/26/new-census-numbers-poverty-rates-hold-steady-number-of-uninsured-drops-to-457-million/comment-page-1/#comment-5184632 christopher wiwi Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:56:40 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/26/new-census-numbers-poverty-rates-hold-steady-number-of-uninsured-drops-to-457-million/#comment-5184632 Bushco and Mcwars are to wealthy to know about poverty and what really is going on in this country.Warmongers all think alike as the corporate war machine keeps a stranglehold on things.#2, I don`t know about doubling the figures but your close, oh what the hell double is not being generous it`s probably higher.These guys on the Reich don`t care about this country because the Party comes first and everything else comes second.Traitors each and every one of them. Bushco and Mcwars are to wealthy to know about poverty and what really is going on in this country.Warmongers all think alike as the corporate war machine keeps a stranglehold on things.#2, I don`t know about doubling the figures but your close, oh what the hell double is not being generous it`s probably higher.These guys on the Reich don`t care about this country because the Party comes first and everything else comes second.Traitors each and every one of them.

]]> By: raynman http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/26/new-census-numbers-poverty-rates-hold-steady-number-of-uninsured-drops-to-457-million/comment-page-1/#comment-5184630 raynman Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:55:53 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/26/new-census-numbers-poverty-rates-hold-steady-number-of-uninsured-drops-to-457-million/#comment-5184630 Please, trolls, tell me again how spending all that money in Iraq for an unnecessary war was a good investment compared to the potential of investing that money in the people of the United States? Please, trolls, tell me again how spending all that money in Iraq for an unnecessary war was a good investment compared to the potential of investing that money in the people of the United States?

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