The number of Americans without health insurance rose significantly last year, new census figures show, to 14.6 percent.

A Newsweek poll showed a modest increase in support, to 58 percent from 53.

Since then, the rate has shown a decline to 23.5 percent in 1990, but the drop is not statistically significant because of relatively small samples.

But the luxury segment showed a decline of 0.7 point, to 81.6 percent.

"And we have forecasts showing a further decline in the second half, to 10 percent."

To Knight, there is no measurement more significant, and it showed an increase from 11.4 percent to over 13 percent.

The rate for Illinois showed the biggest decline, seven-tenths of a point, to 6.7 percent.

In New York he improved that showing somewhat, to 37 percent.

The survey showed a saving of 30 percent to 50 percent over hospital charges in the same communities.

The number of new voters registering as Independents showed a small increase, from 16 to 17 percent.