Rock, that sounds true. Do you have a cite to do some more research?
The research is multi-faceted, but the best source is the states that had High Risk Pools.
If you live in a HRP association state, just ask a health insurance agent or broker the total number of private individual policies that WERE in effect vs the number of patients in the HRP. Unfortunately, he may not be real busy now, and happy to discuss the issue.
Another source for that same information would be the Superintendent or Commissioner of Insurance in your state (or the chosen HRP state)
Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Dakota, were all in pretty good shape.