In 2023, the percentage of Americans without health insurance remained steady, according to the Census Bureau’s latest report. This stability is close to the record low achieved in 2022, thanks to expansions of public programs, including the Affordable Care Act, under the Biden administration.
Approximately 8% of Americans were uninsured, showing a negligible increase of just 0.1 percentage point from the previous year. However, it is important to note that the Census survey might not fully capture the impact of the millions of Americans who lost Medicaid coverage after pandemic-era protections expired in early 2023.
Enrollment in Medicaid reached its peak in April 2023 before the “unwinding” process began. The unwinding refers to states disenrolling people from Medicaid after the federal government allowed culling of enrollment.
While the exact effect of the unwinding on insurance coverage is still unknown, the Census Bureau will release additional data on Thursday to provide more insights.
“We are likely at a turning point,” said Leighton Ku from George Washington University’s Center for Health Policy Research. “We are about to transition to a new phase where Medicaid unwinding may lead to challenges.”
Most states have completed the Medicaid unwinding process, resulting in over 25 million people being disenrolled. While some individuals found alternative coverage, others remained uninsured.
Various efforts were made by states, insurers, and advocates to prevent gaps in coverage for those disenrolled from Medicaid. However, the full impact of the unwinding won’t be known until the 2026 report.
In addition to Medicaid, factors like a robust economy, near-record-low unemployment, and enhanced federal subsidies have increased the number of Americans with health insurance. The Biden administration’s efforts to expand subsidies and enrollment assistance have also played a significant role.
Research shows that expanded health coverage benefits both individuals and the public by providing access to care and preventing financial hardships. The annual health insurance data from the Census Bureau remains a reliable source for understanding health coverage in the US.
