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HELENA, Mont. (AP) The percentage of Montanans without health insurance continues to decline.

The Census Bureau says 16.1 percent of Montanans were without health insurance in 2007, or about 154,000 people. That's compared with 17.1 percent in 2006 and 18.7 percent in 2005, which translated to 175,000 people.

Montana has moved from 44th in 2005 to 34th last year among the states for the percentage of people with health insurance.

Health policy analysts say the improvement is due to the state's relatively strong economy and expanded public programs like the Children's Health Insurance Plan and state-subsidized insurance for small businesses and their employees.

Nationally, 15.3 percent of the population lack health insurance.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 09-05-08 0849CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list