First to USA TODAY: Uninsured rate hit record low of 8%, HHS analysis shows
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 8% of Americans lacked health insurance at the start of this year, which is a record low.
Democrats have made improvements to Obamacare plans to help more people enrol. Insurance premiums dropped after the subsidies increased and more outreach went into effect.
More states had coverage for their Medicaid patients because of the EXPANDED MEDICAID ACT and were granted more funds during the influenza pandemic.
The Latest
In the first quarter of 2022, 8% of those surveyed had no health insurance coverage, lower than the previous low of 9%.
The drop in health insurance coverage was among people living in poverty with a range of monthly income between 200% and 400% of the federal poverty level.
Nearly half of the adults who gained insurance since 2020, 4 million people, got it through either the ACA marketplaces or Medicaid.
The analysis is on data recently released by the Centers for Disease Control.
What is about to Happen
The uninsured rate is low, but it is difficult to predict future rates.
Democrats are unsure if they have enough votes to extend the 2018 American Recovery Plan. This plan expands subsidies through 2021 but does not have enough votes to extend it past the end of the year.
The premiums and deductibles for those qualified for assistance went down because subsidies became more generous, allowing people to make an income of $54,360 and still qualify.
The Senate may this week take up the domestic policy package. It does not include Medicaid, but it does have a three-eye extension.
Millions of Americans could lose Medicaid when the states begin to unwind coverage after the COVID-19 public health emergency is over.
Key takeaways
President Biden campaigned on strengthening the ACA. The ACA didn't go as far as Democrats wanted; it was attacked by the Republicans.
The administration added people to help with enrollment through HealthCare.gov, and generous subsidies passed in 2021 marked the expansion of health care since the Affordable Care Act's creation
President Biden can't wait to brag, but it would not be for long.
What they are saying
In a statement, Biden said, No one should worry about whether they can pay for their doctor or choose between paying rent and filling a prescription.
According to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, We know that access to quality, affordable health care is key to healthier lives, economic security, and peace of mind.
Source: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2022/08/02/biden-administration-drop-uninsured-rate-record-low/10211980002/
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