This report from the CDC examines insurance trends from 1959 to 2007 and a report containing early estimates from the 2008 National Health Interview Survey.  The reports show that the number of privately insured non-elderly Americans has declined in the past year, with about 65 percent of non-elderly Americans holding private health insurance in 2008—down from 67 percent in 2007 and 80 percent in the 1970’s and early 1980’s.  However, the CDC also reports that public coverage for adults is rising in some states due largely to Medicaid expansions.  The reports also address insurance coverage in the 20 largest states.

From the report:

The percentage of persons under age 65 years with private coverage rose between 1959 and 1968, to 79%, remained stable until 1980, and then declined to 67% by 2007. During the 1980s, the percentage of persons with no coverage increased, while the percentage with private coverage declined and the percentage with Medicaid remained stable. Since 1990, the percentage of nonelderly persons without coverage has remained stable, but the number has increased by more than 6 million persons, to 43.3 million in 2007. During this period, the percentage with private coverage has continued to decline, while the percentage with Medicaid has increased. Recent trends in coverage based on the NHIS and CPS are similar.

Full report: Health Insurance Coverage Trends, 1959–2007: Estimates from the National Health Interview Survey (PDF | 330.15 KB)

US Department of Health and Human Services. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2009). Health insurance coverage trends, 1959–2007: estimates from the National Health Interview Survey. Cohen, R.A., Makuc, D.M., Bernstein, A.B., Bilheimer, L.T., and Powell-Griner, E.