Rising number of uninsured

The decline in the number of employers offering health insurance has led to a rise in the percentage of americans who are uninsured.

U.S. Census Bureau figures released in August found that the uninsured populatio rose from 15.6% to 15.9%, in 2005.

The Census figures also show that the number of uninsured children under age 18 has increased for the first time in seven years.

Despite an upturn in the economy, the percentage of U.S. workers covered by employer-sponsored insurance declined from 81.2% in 2001 to 77.4% in 2005.

In addition, there was no increase in Medicaid and SCHIP coverage last year to compensate for the decline in employer-sponsored health care