New Census Data: Number of Uninsured Dropped by 1 Million in 2016, with Young Adults Continuing to Make Large Gains
<p>The number of uninsured Americans under age 65 declined by an additional 1 million people in 2016, three years after the major insurance reforms of the Affordable Care Act took effect, according to U.S. Census Bureau data released today. Findings from the Current Population Survey show that 10.1 percent of the U.S population under age 65, or 27.5 million people, were uninsured in 2016, down from 15.3 percent in 2013.</p><p>Uninsured rates declined across all age groups, with the greatest gains among young adults. Uninsured rates edged down across racial and ethnic groups, and rates continued to fall for people with low and moderate incomes. </p>
<p>The authors of a recent Commonwealth Fund report showing that two of five uninsured working-age adults remain unaware of the marketplaces say it is critical that federal and state policymakers remain committed this fall to helping people enroll in the coverage for which they’re eligible. </p>