US uninsured rate reaches all-time low

Editor's Note 

The number of Americans without health insurance coverage has hit a record low of 8% this year, exceeding the previous low of 9% in 2016, the Department of Health and Human Services July 3 reports. Since 2020, 5.2 million people have gained coverage, including 4 million adults and 1 million children. Through 2021 and early 2022, the uninsured rated has further decreased.

Over 35 million Americans are enrolled in Affordable Care Act coverage, including more than 21 million people enrolled in the act’s expansion of Medicaid. After the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan was implemented last year for various coronavirus relief measures, uninsured rates began to decline.

When the Biden administration increased the advertising and number of counselors to assist in sign up and enrollment season last year, the uninsured rate further dropped from 9% to 8%. The uninsured rate declined from 14.5% in late 2020 to 11.8% in early 2022 among adults. The number of uninsured children lessened to 3.7% in early 2022 from 6.4% in late 2020.

According to AP, uninsured rates remained in the double digits for decades before 2021. The initial drop occurred after the Affordable Care Act was put in force in 2010. Still, 26 million Americans do not have health insurance, including 2% of children, the latest report revealed.