In a new report released by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) there are an estimated 16.4 million Americans who now have health insurance thanks to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). And according to the report, Latinos are considered to be the highest within the number to be insured.
“Since the passage of the ACA almost five years ago, about 16.4 million uninsured people have gained health coverage—the largest reduction in the uninsured in four decades,” said HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell, on this momentous accomplish considering the act was considered a possible flop in its early day of enactment. “Because of the ACA, young adults are able to stay on their parents’ plans until age 26, states can expand their Medicaid programs, and tax credits are available to millions of Americans in all 50 states, making health care coverage more affordable and accessible. When it comes to the key metrics of affordability, access, and quality, the evidence shows that the Affordable Care Act is working, and families, businesses and taxpayers are better off as a result.”
According to the HHS, prior to the ACA implementation the “baseline uninsured rate” of Latinos uninsured stood at 41.8%. But now after as the numbers for the first quarter of 2015 enrollment comes in, the number of Latinos uninsured has dropped by 12.3%. According to his percentage that would mean an estimated 4.2 million Latinos have recently gained health insurance coverage in this country.
“After working tirelessly over the first two enrollment periods to connect uninsured Americans with their new health insurance options under the [ACA], we celebrate today’s news that 16.4 million Americans have gained health insurance since the law’s passage. Not only are the sheer numbers impressive, but also we can see the law making a real impact on the uninsured rate, especially for Latinos and African-Americans,” said Anne Filipic, the president of Enroll America.
Enroll America is a nonprofit enrollment coalition that was established to aid the HHS help enroll Americans by providing more information on the importance of enrolling.
While the number may not seem significant, the drop of Latinos uninsured is being seen as the largest percentage decline compared to Black and White Americans.
Prior to the implementing of ACA, for Black Americans the estimation of uninsured stood at 22.4% but since the first quarter enrollment of 2015 that number has dropped by 9.2%. Meanwhile, among White Americans the estimation of uninsured rate stood at 14.3% but in comparison to both Latinos and Blacks the groups’ uninsured rate decline estimation was the lowest with only 5.3% becoming insured.
From October 2013 to March 2015 the decline of uninsured Americans went from 20.3% to 13.2%. Among American civilians to gain health coverage insurance were people aged 19 to 25 years old, which is estimated to be about 3.4 million. With young Americans becoming insured ACA will be able to provide better health plans to older Americans who sign up and need health coverage.
A year ago, opponents to ACA were quick to say how “Obamacare” had become a failure in the country. However, what was merely a slow start to enrollment due to mis-communication between those wanting to enroll and the sites that failed to help them proved how wrong opponents once those issues were corrected. Becoming insured shouldn’t be a political decision, but a personal and wise one considering you want to keep yourself healthy and safe.
As more and more Americans enroll, and you’re wondering if you should, take the time to learn about ACA and its health coverage plans so you can become insured if you already aren’t.
