Nurses Blast Bush for Veto on Children's Health

Cortez noted a recent Families USA report that found that nearly 90 million people, a third of all Americans under 65, were uninsured for substantial chunks of time the past two years.

“Even many of those with insurance are drowning in red ink and medical debt, and they’re all too often responding by rationing care for themselves and their families. These sobering statistics can have heartbreaking consequences. Uninsured children admitted to the hospital with injuries are twice as likely to die as kids with health coverage, and are 13 times less likely to have regular medical care,” Cortez said.

She noted a March report in the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics that found that families with high deductible health plans are far more likely to put off needed care, including immunizations and compliance with recommended treatment.