New Report: Millions Still Lack Affordable Coverage, but Young Adult Gains Bode Brighter Future
<p>Eighty-four million people―nearly half of all working-age U.S. adults―went without health insurance for a time last year or were underinsured because of high out-of-pocket costs relative to income, according to a new study based on findings from the <a href="/publications/fund-reports/2013/apr/insuring-future-current-trends-health-coverage-and-effects">Commonwealth Fund's 2012 Biennial Health Insurance Survey</a>. </p><p>At the same time, the report finds that the proportion of young adults who were uninsured during the year fell from 48 percent to 41 between 2010 and 2012, reversing a decade-long trend for the 19-to-25 age group. The health reform law’s provision allowing young people to remain on their parents’ health insurance until age 26 is likely the reason for the improvement, the authors say. </p>
<p>The survey also finds that medical debt continues to burden U.S. households, leading in many cases to lower credit ratings and even bankruptcy. In 2012, 41 percent of working-age adults, or 75 million people, had problems paying their medical bills or were paying off medical bills over time. </p>
<p>Visit commonwealthfund.org to read the report and a <a href="/blog/2013/large-shares-adults-are-uninsured-or-underinsured-nations-largest-states">blog post </a>highlighting how California, Florida, New York, and Texas fared on key measures of health care coverage and affordability. Also be sure to use our interactive feature, "<a href="/publications/publication/2013/apr/price-being-uninsured">The Price of Being Uninsured</a>."<br />
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