The rate of Americans without health insurance was 8.5 percent in 2018, up from 7.9 percent the previous year, according to a U.S. Census Bureau report. In total, 27.5 million people lacked health insurance in 2018, compared to 25.6 million in 2017.
The uninsured rate varies among states. Massachusetts has the lowest uninsured rate (2.8 percent), while Texas has the highest (17.7 percent.) Uninsured rates from 2017 to 2018 decreased in three states and increased in eight states. All other states showed no statistically significant change in their uninsured rates.
The number of people covered by Medicaid fell by 0.7 percent, while those covered by Medicare rose by 0.4 percent. Overall enrollment in public insurance programs fell by 0.4 percent.
Contact Senior Director of Policy Erin O’Malley at eomalley@essentialhospitals.org or 202.585.0127 with questions.
