The number of people in this country who have health insurance but not the ability to afford adequate medical care continues to climb.

About 25 million Americans — or approximately **one of every five adults younger than age 65 with health insurance** — did not have sufficient coverage last year to shield them from financial hardship if they ended up in the emergency room or were seriously ill, according to a new study by [the Commonwealth Fund](http://www.commonwealthfund.org “The Commonwealth Fund”).

The relentless rise in the cost of medical care, combined with a growing number of insurance plans that require patients to pay a higher portion of their medical bills has led to a 60 percent increase in the number of underinsured adults from 2003 to 2007.

[Read](http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/10/health/policy/10health.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&adxnnlx=1213117758-N4lVnme6MfKih6JIc8TVFw “Read the Article”) (New York Times)