California’s uninsured rate for health insurance fell to a record low of 7.2 percent during 2017.
That’s a decline of 10 percentage points from the pre-Affordable Care Act rate of 17.2 percent, according to numbers out Sept. 12 from the U.S. Census Bureau. California reported the largest decrease of any state over that time period.
The report showed that 3.7 million Californians gained health insurance coverage since 2013. Covered California, the state’s Obamacare operation, reported its first decline in enrollment in 2017, after strong growth since the marketplace’s inception.
“The Census figures are the gold standard, and what the numbers show is that California continues to make history in reducing the rate of the uninsured,” Covered California chief Peter Lee said.
“California embraced the Affordable Care Act by expanding Medi-Cal and creating a competitive marketplace in Covered California that puts consumers first,” Lee said. “We know that life can change in an instant, and now millions of Californians and their families are protected and have access to the best medical care in the state.”
An estimated 3 million Californians remain without comprehensive health care coverage. Many of them are not eligible due to their immigration status.
Disregarding those who are ineligible for coverage, California’s rate dropped to roughly 3 percent, Covered California said.
“We are getting to a point where we are nearing universal coverage in California for those who are eligible, but we cannot rest on our laurels,” Lee said.
The Covered California chief said the Census report shows that Americans nationwide continue to benefit from the Affordable Care Act despite continued uncertainty and turmoil at the federal level.
> Read the federal report “Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2017.”
Speak Your Mind