More than 43 million Americans reported being uninsured throughout 2002 and millions more lack coverage for shorter periods. The lack of insurance negatively affects not only the uninsured, but their families, the communities in which they live, and the country as a whole. Insuring America’s Health: Principles and Recommendations concludes the se-ries of reports on the consequences of uninsurance by the Institute of Medicine (IOM); the reports present substantial and compelling evidence on the harmful effects of being uninsured.