Report: Unemployment Forced 400K Texans Off Health Insurance

In the first eight months of 2009, roughly 400,000 Texas lost their health insurance due to the lack of employment, according to a new report.

 AUSTIN, Texas — In the first eight months of 2009, roughly 400,000 Texas lost their health insurance due to the lack of employment, according to a new report.

Families USA reported that Texas is behind number one California with the largest number of citizens who lost health insurance in 2009.

The advocacy group noted that the state’s yearly average unemployment rate was 7.1 percent. The average in 2008 was 4.9 percent.

The report stated that about 62 percent of Americans under age 65 get health insurance either from their job or a family member’s job.

Families USA now estimates that over 50 million Americans lack health insurance coverage.

The Urban Institute’s formulas were used to calculate unemployment numbers related to changes in uninsured.