A recent survey showed Americans without health insurance coverage are most concentrated in states that have not expanded Medicaid. As of June, 60.4% of uninsured individuals lived in the 25 states that have not expanded Medicaid, up from 49.7% in September of 2013.
The Urban Institute’s Health Policy Center’s survey also reported details on those in the uninsured category, stating many are residents of southern states, Spanish speaking and high school dropouts. The share of the uninsured residing in southern states grew from 41.5% to 48.9%, the Spanish speaking portion grew from 17.0% to 19.9% and the percentage of high school dropouts increased from 23.8% to 28.1% between September and June.
Affordability was the most often cited reason for failing to obtain coverage, as 59.5% of those surveyed stated the plans were cost prohibitive. However, survey data also showed lack of knowledge about the availability of subsidies, with just 38.2% indicating familiarity with subsidies to help offset premiums and out-of-pocket costs.
Some experts feel signing up the uninsured will be more difficult in the future because those who really wanted coverage are now insured. The remaining uninsured will have to be sold on the benefits of coverage.
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