According to a new study from the National Center for Health Statistics, 41.2 million went without health insurance during some portion of 2005, a slight improvement over 2004. I'm not familiar with NCHS's methodology, but their survey sample looks plenty large, so I'd assume the data relatively accurate. I'd guess we're looking at the results of a slightly better economy mixed with some cheaper -- though less comprehensive -- insurance options. Importantly, about 30 million had lacked insurance for more than a year, and interestingly, the highest uninsured rate was in Texas. I just attended a breakfast where Grover Norquist termed Texas the second best governed state in the nation and talked up its executive's presidential ambitions, but I'd think -- and hope -- the near-quarter uninsured rate would throw a kink in Gov. Rick Perry's plans.
