Is The Number of Uninsured Accurate?

" Healthcare -- the AMA yesterday president Barack Obama said this is why reform is so important. We are not a nation that accepts nearly 46 million uninsured men women and children. Let's hardworking families going without coverage. Or turns its back on those that made. Pair of sports citizen."

" Are a lot of applause there 46 million uninsured we hear that number Oman. But is that number a bit misleading okay here's the deal there are actually about 46 million people who lack true health insurance but let's go deeper inside the numbers. This according to the census bureau of the 46 million. Just under ten million or non US citizens. About eighteen million are under 34 years old Lotta talk of and these -- people many of whom are gainfully employed. Maybe it is still young and vulnerable. And it's not just report right because people who are more poor can get access to government programs like Medicare and Medicaid in fact. According to the Census Bureau seventeen point six million people -- insurance make more than 50000 a year. And nine million make more than 75000. Dollars a year. -- still can't afford or simply choose not to have health insurance. According to the CB so many millions more are people that are in between jobs who will then get coverage once they are able to land another job in fact. Blue cross blue shield has said that if you factor and people who can get on government insurance Medicaid exert -- of these other programs. But simply have not people who should be able to afford health care but that's simply not signed up for whatever reason. Or people who are illegal immigrants the United States and non US citizens. Only about eight point two million Americans. Truly do not have any access to form of health insurance they make too much. To be eligible for some government programs. But they don't make enough to be able to pay for on their -- so 46 million. An accurate number but if you go through a little bit of a different picture -- let's talk more about this. And more health care reform in general Harvard University senior lecturer in economics Jeff you're on. Joining us now -- with negative Brian thanks for joining us you had a pretty interesting Op Ed really yesterday going on number of different sides. What is your take on health care reform and do you believe that 46 million number."

" While I think you -- a very good description of -- 46 million is misleading it's not completely sort of irrelevant but clearly. Trying to draw a picture of 46 million people who have -- no ability to get health care health insurance is a gross misstatement of the current situation. For more broadly I think the issue is that. The administration and a lot of the democratic congress want us to believe. That we can achieve such efficiencies in our current system. That we can not only continue to afford Medicare and Medicaid but we can cover another 46 million people without reducing anybody's access to care quality of care. And that just to me doesn't pass a laugh test of course there -- ways to reduce expenditure by rationing care. And there are ways to get people to spend last spiked forcing them to pay a higher fraction of the cost. But just being able to give everybody more without cost is not going to happen we will speak to you again saying we need to go to the."