A new report estimates more than eight Californians die every day due to a lack of health insurance. The report comes from the non-profit advocacy group Families USA. KPBS reporter Kenny Goldberg has the story.
The estimate is based on a previous study by the Institute of Medicine. That report said there was a link between a lack of health insurance and deaths. The new study says the uninsured are much more likely to delay seeking care. They’re also more likely to be diagnosed with a disease that's already advanced.
Families USA director Ron Pollack says the situation in California is dismal.
Pollack : Our report highlights how are inadequate system of health coverage, condemns a great number of Californians to an early death, simply because they don't have the same access to healthcare as their insured neighbors.
Pollack says the federal government must take the lead in reforming the nation’s healthcare system.
Kenny Goldberg, KPBS News.
