In the midst of the worst public health crisis the U.S. has experienced in over a century and a devastating economic downturn that has not been seen since WWII, millions of citizens have been left uninsured.
According to Families USA, because of job losses between February and May of this year, 5.4 million laid-off workers became uninsured. These recent increases in the number of uninsured adults are 39% higher than any annual increase ever recorded.
Despite this information, there has still been no federal Covid-19 legislation signed into law to help restore, preserve, and create a health insurance program, like Medicare for All, to help these citizens.
Common Dreams reports that nearly half of the newly uninsured, according to the group, live in just five states: California, Texas, Florida, New York, and North Carolina.
“We have got to work together to make sure that anyone in America who is sick—regardless of their income or immigration status—can seek the medical treatment they need during this national emergency. With an estimated 35 million Americans in danger of losing their employer-provided health insurance over the coming weeks and months, this legislation is needed now more than ever,” says Sen. Bernie Sanders.
With no medical insurance, people are less likely to seek diagnosis and treatment when needed.
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