UCLA Center for Health Policy Research

Nearly two million Californians lost their health insurance during 2008 and 2009 – years characterized by a deep recession and mass layoffs – bringing the total number of uninsured in the state to more than 8 million, according to this policy brief that draws upon both 2009 and adjusted 2007 data.

The number of uninsured represents a 28 percent increase since 2007, when 6.4 million Californians lacked insurance, according to the authors, who also estimate that nearly one-quarter of all adult Californians currently lack health insurance.

The estimates are based upon 2009 enrollee data from health insurance companies and the public health insurance programs offered by the state of California. Those counts were then used to update 2007 California Health Interview Survey health insurance rates, adjusting for 2009 population growth and changes in insurance status.