In 2011, the number of uninsured people in the United States totaled 48.6 million — a 2.8 percent drop from the 50 million uninsured Americans in 2010, according to the latest figures from the U.S. Census Bureau (pdf).
Last year, those lacking health insurance represented 15.7 percent of the population compared with 16.3 percent in 2010. However, the official poverty rate remained at 15 percent, indicating that although more people received health coverage, poverty continued to be a major issue.
People aged 19 to 25 years represented the largest drop in the uninsured population, falling 2.2 percent year-over-year. One of the major provisions of President Barack Obama's Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act allowed young adults to stay on their parents' health plans until they turn 26.
Other major findings on health insurance coverage from the Census Bureau's annual report include:
• For the first time in 10 years, the rate of private insurance coverage did not decrease. Roughly 63.9 percent of the population had private health coverage last year, the same as 2010. Employer-based health insurance also stayed consistent year-over-year at 55.1 percent of the population.
• In 2011, roughly 99.5 million people, or 32.2 percent of the population, were covered by government payors. These increased from 2010, when 95.5 million people, or 31.2 percent of population, had public health coverage.
• Asians and blacks saw their uninsured populations fall by 1.7 percent and 1.4 percent, respectively, year-over-year — the highest drops of any race.
Last year, those lacking health insurance represented 15.7 percent of the population compared with 16.3 percent in 2010. However, the official poverty rate remained at 15 percent, indicating that although more people received health coverage, poverty continued to be a major issue.
People aged 19 to 25 years represented the largest drop in the uninsured population, falling 2.2 percent year-over-year. One of the major provisions of President Barack Obama's Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act allowed young adults to stay on their parents' health plans until they turn 26.
Other major findings on health insurance coverage from the Census Bureau's annual report include:
• For the first time in 10 years, the rate of private insurance coverage did not decrease. Roughly 63.9 percent of the population had private health coverage last year, the same as 2010. Employer-based health insurance also stayed consistent year-over-year at 55.1 percent of the population.
• In 2011, roughly 99.5 million people, or 32.2 percent of the population, were covered by government payors. These increased from 2010, when 95.5 million people, or 31.2 percent of population, had public health coverage.
• Asians and blacks saw their uninsured populations fall by 1.7 percent and 1.4 percent, respectively, year-over-year — the highest drops of any race.
More Articles on the Uninsured Population:
Study: 9.3M U.S. Adults Lost Health Coverage During Recession
How Hospitals Can Drastically Cut Down Uncompensated Care
Number of Uninsured Remained Flat From 2009-2010