Newly released census data show that there were 50.7 million uninsured Americans in 2009—the highest level since data collection began in 1987. According to Commonwealth Fund President Karen Davis, this loss of health insurance is having a substantial impact on the middle class. Among the 4.3 million newly uninsured, half have incomes over $50,000. "These numbers illustrate the harsh toll the recession has taken on millions of Americans' access to health care and highlight the urgent need for those provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) designed to provide middle-class families with affordable options if they lose coverage through their jobs," Davis said. Also read Davis' new blog post on how the ACA provisions effective this week will help young adults, those with serious medical conditions, Medicare beneficiaries, and other Americans.