Calif. uninsured rate bests U.S.

A federal study shows that California’s percentage of those without health insurance is running about a point lower than the national average.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found California’s uninsured rate was 8.1 at the end of 2015, vs. 9.1 for the U.S. as a whole.

California also beat the national average in key categories: (3.6 percent vs. 4.5 percent); 18-64 years (11.1 percent vs. 12.8 percent); and under 65 years (9.1 percent vs. 10.5 percent). People 65 and older are covered under Medicare programs.

“California is succeeding in this new era of health care by using all the tools of the Affordable Care Act — expanding Medi-Cal and launching a state-based exchange that brings quality and value to our consumers,” said Covered California chief Peter Lee.

A CDC report of November put California’s uninsured rate at 8.6 percent as of June 2015.

Covered California pointed to its success with adults (18-64 years), which was 23.7 percent in 2013 and 16.7 percent in 2014, before falling to 11.1 percent. “The CDC says the 12.6 percent drop is the fourth-largest among states during that time.”

The CDC said that Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, New York, Texas and Vermont had “statistically significant lower percentages of uninsured” than in 2014.

The most dramatic drop nationwide was found among Hispanic adults.

In another federal report, the uninsured rate for adults (ages 18 to 64) fell by 43 percent between October 2013 and early 2016, the Department of Health and Human Services said March 3. It cited a “dramatic and steady decline in the uninsured rate.”

While that uninsured rate has improved dramatically since the key provisions of the Affordable Care Act went into effect, critics say many people can’t afford to use their medical coverage because they bought high-deductible plans that come with attractive premiums. Covered California has made some moves to address those healthcare access concerns in 2017.

> Read the CDC report on health insurance coverage (PDF).