Almost two-thirds of uninsured people have incomes less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level.

The committee called on the federal government to "take action to achieve universal health insurance and to establish an explicit schedule to reach this goal by 2010."

Coleman said later this month she will appoint a University task force on health care, adding that there is no better place than U-M to develop and test new models for health care.

"It is a national embarrassment to have one out of seven people uninsured in this country," Kelch said. "How can we look at ourselves in the mirror in the morning and say that we are a kinder, gentler nation?"

All panelists agreed it is important for the media to help get the word out about uninsurance. However, it will be necessary for all citizens to get involved.

"As long as Americans go with this fantasy that 'as long as I have coverage, then I am OK,' they are not going to deal with it."

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