A significant number of Americans are now procuring health insurance. Rates of uninsured citizens have already declined across 50 states, as released by The Commonwealth Fund on Wednesday. This change can be credited to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare.
Obamacare's health coverage provision has finally achieved full implementation by 2014. Proof of this is the decline in the number of low-income and working-age adults that have no insurance.
"Uninsured rates are at historic lows," according to the president of The Commonwealth Fund, Dr. David Blumenthal. "It is important to hold onto these gains and continue to make progress in assuring people can get and afford the health care they need," Dr. Blumenthal further confirms at a news conference on Tuesday.
These changes are dominantly reflected in states that expanded Medicaid under Obamacare. States who didn't expand, however, still observed that more residents are gaining health insurance.
Researchers found that six states- Kentucky, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, West Virginia and California - decreased their uninsured rates by at least 50 percent between 2013 to 2015.
Kentucky exhibited the most dramatic figures. By 2015, Kentucky has 13 percent of low-income adults and 8 percent of working-age adults. This is an improvement from 2013 with the 38 percent and 21 percent figures; respectively.
Reports further confirmed that provision of health insurance also improved access to health care. Health Insurance allowed people from all 38 states to consult a doctor without difficulty in managing costs. 16 states have exhibited a decline in the percentage of people who may be at risk for poor health management because of inconsistent doctor visits.
The Commonwealth fund released its latest reports in response to plans of repealing Obamacare. This is said to be one of the first acts in 2017 by the new Republican-led Congress.
Researchers confirmed that 20 million Americans will lose their insurances by 2018 if straight repeal of the law will be pursued.
