Millions in the U.S. cannot afford health insurance

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Despite a thriving economy and high employment rate, the number of Americans without health insurance has been growing steadily. According to a new census bureau report, 43 million people are without coverage, the highest in five years.

About 80 percent of those losing coverage are members of working families with at least one parent employed full time, often earning too much to qualify for government programs such as Medicaid but not enough to afford private health coverage.

"There's an assumption made that if you can survive, you can afford insurance, but that's not always so," said Pamela Gregory, who supports her family of four earning $23,000 a year in a temporary position as a legal secretary.

When they have to, the Gregorys go to a local clinic where patients are allowed to pay whatever they can. Such a system forces them to rely on less-than-comprehensive health care.

"They can't afford medicine, they can't afford specialists, they can't afford diagnostic tests," said Dr. Linda Prine of the Sydney Hillman Health Clinic.

Inability to afford such basics often costs families more in the long run, when lack of preventive care creates on emergency.

Lewis Gregory suffered a heart attack two years ago that left the family mired in debt.

"We have absolutely no way to even dream of paying $125,000. At that rate it would have been cheaper for me to die," he said.

CNN Correspondent Deborah Feyerick contributed to this report.