A new Gallup report shows the percentage of uninsured Americans increased 1.3 percentage points over 2017. The results are based on 25,000 interviews conducted with adults from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, 2017.
Here are seven key statistics:
1. In the fourth quarter of 2017, 12.3 percent of Americans were uninsured. The uninsured rate was flat from the third quarter of 2017, but up 1.3 percentage points over the fourth quarter of 2016.
2. Since the ACA was signed in 2008, the 1.3 percentage point increase in 2017 was the largest single-year increase in the uninsured rate.
3. Based on the report, around 3.2 million Americans who were insured in 2016 became uninsured last year.
4. The uninsured rate remains lower than the 18 percent reported in the third quarter of 2013, which was the last quarter before the health insurance exchanges and individual mandate were implemented.
5. Factors likely contributing to the increased number of uninsured Americans in 2017 include:
- Lack of competition driving up the cost of health plans
- Insurance companies ceasing to offer plans through the exchanges
- Media coverage on ACA repeal and health law changes
6. All demographics reported an increase in uninsured, except Americans 65 years and older who qualify for Medicare. Young adults, blacks, Hispanics and low-income Americans were the most likely to become uninsured last year. Among Americans aged 18 to 25 years old, the uninsured rate increased 2 percentage points.
7. There were fewer Americans who purchased their own plans in 2017 through the healthcare exchanges; 20.3 percent of Americans bought their own plans, down from 21.3 percent in the previous year. At the same time, the number of Americans with health insurance through their employer declined 0.6 percentage points.
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