According to the Kaiser report, the uninsured are hospitalized at least 50 percent more often than the insured for "avoidable conditions" such as pneumonia and uncontrolled diabetes. They are only half as likely as the insured to get discretionary procedures such as coronary bypass and total hip replacement surgery. Uninsured Americans with mental health conditions are less likely to receive treatment prior to hospitalization and more likely to be involuntarily admitted to the hospital.

Ultimately the cycle of uninsurance is fatal. Cancer is diagnosed at a later stage for the uninsured and is more likely to be fatal. Uninsured women, for example, have a 49 percent higher risk of death from breast cancer than women who have insurance. Uninsured Americans are 3.6 times more likely to die in the hospital than those with insurance.

With funding from The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) conducted a three-year study as part of its project, "Consequences of Uninsurance," and produced a series of reports.

Some highlights of the IOM study include:

• Lack of health insurance leads to 18,000 unnecessary deaths each year;
• Uninsured adults are less likely to get recommended health screening services;
• Uninsured patients with cancer are more likely to die prematurely because of delayed diagnosis;
• Uninsured persons with chronic conditions are less likely to have regular check-ups or get medication that control their disease;
• The financial, physical, and emotional well-being of all family members may be adversely affected if any member lacks coverage.