An estimated 46.3 million Americans, 15.4% of the population, lacked health insurance in 2008, the U.S. Census Bureau reported today. That's 600,000 more people than in 2007. Private health coverage declined by 1 million people, while public coverage rose by 4.4 million. An estimated 800,000 fewer children were uninsured in 2008. The Northeast and Midwest had the lowest uninsured rate (11.6%). "Today's news that over 46 million Americans remain uninsured reinforces why hospitals have stepped forward to be part of efforts to expand health care coverage," said AHA President and CEO Rich Umbdenstock. "Hospitals know first-hand the effects of having no coverage - patients are showing up in hospital emergency rooms sicker and with more chronic conditions than ever before."