CENSUS NUMBERS STRENGTHEN OUR RESOLVE TO REFORM HEALTH INSURANCE

Washington, DC--Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid released the following statement today in reaction to the Census Bureau findings on the growing number of uninsured Americans:

"The release of today's Census numbers reinforces what we already knew - our current health insurance system is failing the American people. According to the Census Bureau, more than 600,000 Americans were added to the growing number of uninsured between 2007 and 2008. That number increased by 46,000 in Nevada alone.

"As the President reminded us last night, the season of action is now upon us. The failed policies of the previous administration have taken a toll and the skyrocketing cost of health insurance is placing a tremendous burden on working families. We need to confront this growing problem with health insurance reform that lowers costs, improves quality and preserves choice.

"No person in America should be without quality, affordable health care - we have a moral imperative to act now. This sobering news only strengthens our resolve to deliver real reform to our chronically ill health insurance system."

Please visit the Health Insurance Reform page at the Senate Democratic Caucus website at http://democrats.senate.gov/reform to view a running ticker to show the number of Americans currently without health insurance.