Hidden Health Tax: Americans Pay a Premium

May 28, 2009 This paper focuses on the effects of uncompensated costs of the uninsured when medical care is obtained. Hospital and physician cost-shifting attempts are emphasized as well as estimates of uncompensated per privately insured families and individuals and annual charges/expenditures among the uninsured. The impact of insurance in regard to health outcomes, developmental problems, and personal bankruptcy is discussed, as well as the possibility of universal health coverage in 2009 . . .