This is the third in a series of commonly believed health myths based upon the research from Fox News analyst James Farrell.
More Information:
Many may be able to afford health insurance, but for whatever reason choose to not buy it.
In 2007, an estimated 17.6 million of the uninsured made more than $50,000 per year, and 10 million of those made more than $75,000 a year, says Sally Pipes, author of the book, The Top Ten Myths of American Health Care: A Citizen’s Guide, a book that attempts to dig behind the numbers.
According to author Pipes, 38% of the U.S. uninsured population earns more than $50,000 per year. That means 38% of the uninsured likely make enough to afford health insurance, but for undetermined reasons choose not to buy it.
So, although about 60% of Americans cannot afford to buy health insurance, a surprisingly high percent can — but choose not to.
Here are the topics for the entire series:

• Health Myth #1: “The U.S. has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the developed world.”
• Health Myth #2: “About 46 million Americans lack access to health insurance.”
• New Analysis of the Myth: “46 Million Americans Without Health Insurance”
• Health Myth #3: “The uninsured can’t afford to buy coverage.”
• Health Myth #4: “Most of the uninsured do not have health insurance because they are not working and so don’t have access to health benefits through an employer.”
• Health Myth #5: “The estimated 45 million people without health insurance lacked health insurance for every day of the year.”
• Health Myth #6: “Government-run universal health care would increase the international competitiveness of U.S. companies.”
• Health Myth #7: “The cost of uncompensated care for the uninsured significantly increases hospital costs.”
• Health Myth #8: “Nationalized health care would not impact patient waiting times.”
• Health Myth #9: “Insurers cover less today than they did in the past.”
• Health Myth #10: “Preventive Medicine Saves Money”