Report:
Uninsured account for one-fifth of ER visits

Uninsured persons accounted for nearly one-fifth of the 120 million hospital-based emergency department visits in 2006, while low-income patients accounted for almost one-third and rural residents accounted for one-fifth of ER visits, according to the latest data released by Health and Human Services. The data come from the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample, which is the largest, all-payer emergency department database in the United States according to an HHS press release.

“Our health care system has forced too many uninsured, rural and low-income Americans to depend on the emergency room for the care they need,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius in the release. “We cannot wait for reform that gives all Americans the high-quality, affordable care they need and helps prevent illnesses from turning into emergencies.”