Large Number of People Has Health Insurance in the U.S – Though Issues Remain

The %of adults in the United States without health insurance has fallen to 13% according to a Gallup poll. This was due to a many people being able to sign up for insurance in the exchanges under the Affordable Care Act. Under the health law passed in 2010 by President Barack Obama all American citizens should have health insurance or be ready to pay fines. Those not covered by their employers or by Medicare or Medicaid had to buy independent health covers.

According to Gallup’s poll and interviews, 21% blacks were uninsured in 2013 as compared to 14% as of last month. Those with incomes below$36,000 a year had now 25% insured compared to 31% last year. While the overall numbers reflect "the surge in late health insurance sign-ups," many states' decision to expand coverage under the Medicaid insurance program for the poor also is likely a factor, Gallup said. Many people who have signed up have not yet paid their premiums and will lose coverage “It is also possible that the uninsured rate could hold steady until early 2015, when those currently without insurance sign up for policies going into effect at the beginning of next year," Gallup said.

"The share disapproving of the law is as high as it ever has been in the four-year history of the law," according to Pew, which conducted the poll for USA Today.

References:

Susan Heavey, May 2014

Hannah Punitha (IRDA Licence Number: 2710062)

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Source-Medindia