Of what lasting benefit has been man's use of science and of the new instruments which his research brought into existence?

The annual percentage of uninsured persons in the United States in 2004 was 14.7%, slightly higher than 14.2% in 1999. The rate of uninsured over a five-year period has remained relatively static, with more than 43 million uninsured citizens in the United States today.

Medicaid, the government-subsidized health insurance program for the poor, is currently under review. The federal government may make severe budget cuts, as Medicaid has grown into the largest insurance program in the nation and a primary resource for many. Although Medicaid was designed to supplement other forms of health insurance for the lower income population, 40 million citizens rely on Medicaid as a primary health program.

However, for one to recieve Medicaid, one must subsist at the bottom of the United State's socio-economic hierarchy - earning below 10K per year with two dependents.