Despite lack of Medicaid expansion in Florida, the Affordable Care Act is working big time

Now that Republicans in state legislatures are reconsidering their inhumane refusal of federal dollars to insure the neediest people as the Affordable Care Act was built to do, today, the Department of Health and Human Services released a report showing that the ACA is indeed working regardless, especially among the young. Youth, as you know, are the least likely to be able to afford private-market insurance, but under the federal health policy, they can stay on their parent's plans until the age of 26. Also, when employers don't offer insurance, your government does. In just five years, the agency reports, 16.4 million people who were previously uninsured now have insurance. That's the largest increase in 40 years. Grumble all you want, but this means America is about to be a lot healthier. Below are the press release and the report. 

Good morning,

One week out from the five-year anniversary of the signing of the Affordable Care Act, HHS is announcing that about 16.4 million uninsured people have gained health coverage since the law’s passage – the largest change in the uninsured in four decades.

The report is attached. The following quote can be attributed to HHS Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell.

“Since the passage of the Affordable Care Act almost five years ago, about 16.4 million uninsured people have gained health coverage - the largest reduction in the uninsured in four decades," said Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell. "Because of the Affordable Care Act young adults are able to stay on their parents' plans until age 26, states can expand their Medicaid programs, and tax credits are available to millions of Americans in all 50 states, making health care coverage more affordable and accessible. When it comes to the key metrics of affordability, access, and quality, the evidence shows that the Affordable Care Act is working, and families, businesses and taxpayers are better off as a result.”

Report: http://aspe.hhs.gov/health/reports/2015/uninsured_change/ib_uninsured_change.pdf

Technical appendix: http://aspe.hhs.gov/health/reports/2015/uninsured_change/uninsured_technical_notes.pdf

Landing page with links to the report and the technical appendix: http://aspe.hhs.gov/health/reports/2015/uninsured_change/ib_uninsured_change.cfm

Ib Uninsured Change