CBO Releases New Estimates of Number of Uninsured 
By Jeff Lemieux
May 12, 2003

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates 21-31 million people were uninsured for the entire year 1998.  About 40 million were uninsured at a specific point in time in the year, and almost 60 million were uninsured at any time during the year.  Given the trends since 1998, CBO estimates those figures would remain roughly valid for the current year.

The new CBO report could slightly lower the cost estimates of some proposals to cover the uninsured.  The report also points out the necessity of a two-pronged strategy for covering the uninsured:  (1) transitional coverage for people who have lost or are between jobs, and (2) permanent coverage for low-income working people who are unlikely to get coverage through the workplace.

Links:
Congressional Budget Office How Many People Lack Health Insurance and For How Long? (May 2003)
Centrists.Org A Bipartisan Compromise on Transitional Health Coverage (revised April 28, 2003)