Survey shows that 7 million people have found coverage through exchanges in the US
The National Center for Health Statistics has released the results from a new survey, showing that more than 7 million people have managed to find health insurance coverage due to the provisions of the Affordable Care Act. The federal law had generated a great deal of controversy as it made its way through the legislative process, with many lawmakers suggesting that it would do more harm to the country’s health care system than good. In most cases, these concerns have proven to be unfounded.
Number of people without insurance coverage continues to fall
The survey shows that in the first three months of this year, 29 million people across all age demographics were uninsured, which is 7 million people fewer than were uninsured during the same period in 2014. Uninsured rates were highest among those between the ages of 18 and 64, with 13% of people in this demographic reporting that they did not have health insurance coverage. Of those with coverage, the majority reported that they received policies through state and federal insurance exchanges, through which private insurers have been able to sell coverage.
Federal data shows that 11.7 million people have enrolled for coverage in 2015
According to data from the Obama administration, some 11.7 million people have signed up for health insurance coverage so far in 2015. Some of these people were able to find coverage through insurance exchanges even after the open enrollment had closed. According to a recent report from the Rand Corporation, 17 million people in the United States have received health insurance through exchanges and expanded Medicare programs since 2013.
Affordable Care Act remains intact after legislative challenges
The Affordable Care Act has been challenges many times by lawmakers that disagree with its various provisions. These lawmakers have fought to have the federal law repealed entirely or, at least, limited to a significant degree. Thus far, these efforts have failed, however, and the Affordable Care Act’s provisions remain intact, which may be good news for those looking for health insurance coverage.