According to a Gallup poll of 28,000 Americans, the percentage of people without health insurance fell from 17.1% in the fourth quarter of 2013 to 15.9% by the end of February 2014. As part of a “Well-Being Index,” Gallup asked adults 18 years and over “Do you have health insurance coverage?”
The rate of uninsured individuals has dropped for almost every major demographic, according to the Gallup report. The rate has dropped the most (2.6 points, to 18.3%), however, for uninsured Americans with an annual household income of less than $36,000. Gallup reports that Hispanics are the group most likely to not have health insurance, with an uninsured rate of 37.9%.
The group least affected were those in the 65 and older demographic, likely because people in this group have access to Medicare, a program that was not directly affected by the Affordable Care Act.
The uninsured rates continue to decline among 26- to 34-year-olds and 35- to 64-year-olds. Unfortunately, the percentage of young adult (18- to 34-year-old) enrollees needed (40%) to make the Affordable Care Act successful has not come to fruition—the rate of enrollment among this group is around 25% to date. The majority of Americans (43.4%) currently get insurance through their current or former employer, while around 18% currently pay for a private plan themselves.
Overall, the Gallup poll results show that the number of uninsured Americans is dropping as a result of the health insurance marketplace established under the ACA, and the expansion of Medicaid in some states.
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