Rate of Americans without health insurance continues to climb

The Gallup and Healthways polling organization reported last week that more American adults lacked health insurance coverage last year than in any year since tracking started in 2008. The uninsured rate climbed to 17.1 percent for 2011. It had been increasing since 2008 when it stood at 14.8 percent. In 2010, it was 16.4 percent. Hispanic Americans were the most likely demographic group to be uninsured with more than 40 percent going without coverage in 2011.