Uninsured

New and noteworthy

Affordability Is the Issue Now, But Look for the Uninsured to Make a Comeback

A new column on the uninsured from President and CEO Dr. Drew Altman explains: “The uninsured is not the most politically salient problem in health care now, that’s affordability, nor is it the non-problem some say it is. But it’s coming back. And the problem of the chronically ill uninsured is glaring.” Read more.

Key Facts about the Uninsured Population

The number and share of people without insurance grew in 2024, increasing for the first time since 2019, according to KFF’s analysis of data from the American Community Survey (ACS). This issue brief describes trends in health coverage in 2024, examines the characteristics of the uninsured population , and summarizes the access and financial implications of not having coverage.

More on the uninsured population >>

Data and analysis

The Uninsured and Health Coverage

This Health Policy 101 chapter examines the share of the United States population who are uninsured, highlighting their demographics and the challenges they face because of the lack of coverage.

State Health Facts: Health Coverage & the Uninsured

Get data on health insurance status for the population overall and broken down by age, gender, and income. More than 800 up-to-date health indicators at the state level can be mapped, ranked, and downloaded through State Health Facts.

How Many Uninsured Are in the Coverage Gap?

An estimated 1.4 million uninsured individuals in the 10 states without Medicaid expansion, including many working adults, people of color, and those with disabilities, remain in the “coverage gap,” ineligible for Medicaid or for tax credits that would make ACA coverage affordable to them.

Key Facts on Health Coverage of Immigrants

This fact sheet provides an overview of health coverage for immigrants based on data from the 2023 KFF/LA Times Survey of Immigrants. As of 2023, half of likely undocumented immigrant adults and one in five lawfully present immigrant adults reported being uninsured.

Who was uninsured in 2024?

Latest Polling
9.8%

The share of people under age 65 without insurance
62%

The share of uninsured adults who said they were uninsured because coverage is not affordable
59%

The share of uninsured adults who said they or someone living with them had problems paying for health care
39%

The share of uninsured adults who reported delaying or not getting needed care or medication due to cost

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  • Faces of the Medicaid Expansion: Experiences and Profiles of Uninsured Adults Who Could Gain Coverage

    Issue Brief

    These two papers provide insight into how state decisions to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act are likely to impact people. Based on focus groups and interviews conducted in Cincinnati, Houston, Las Vegas and Tampa with uninsured adults who could be eligible for the Medicaid expansion in 2014, these papers highlight the experiences of uninsured adults and the significant health and financial consequences of being uninsured, which sometimes impact their ability to work and…

  • Uninsured Workers in America

    Fact Sheet

    The fact sheet describes the characteristics of uninsured workers, the availability of and participation in job-based coverage, and reasons why workers are uninsured. Fact Sheet (.pdf)

  • Immigrants and Health Coverage:  A Primer

    Issue Brief

    Immigrants and Health Coverage: A Primer A major challenge facing many immigrants is lack of health insurance coverage. This primer provides an introduction to some of the questions surrounding immigrants and health insurance coverage. Issue Brief (.pdf)

  • Health Insurance Coverage for the Uninsured: Comparison of the Candidates’ Proposals

    Fact Sheet

    Health Care Coverage for the Uninsured: Comparison of Candidate's Proposals Download a printable.pdf of this document Bush-Cheney1 Kerry-Edwards2 General approach Provides tax credits and HSA contributions to low-income families and small employers to help people buy private insurance. Establishes insurance pools and authorizes association health plans. Expands community and rural health centers. Estimated 11 to 17.5 million newly insured. Expands public program coverage, provides tax credits to help people buy insurance, and expands the safety…

  • The Changing Medicaid Managed Care Market

    Report

    Trends in Commercial Plans' Participation This background paper analyzes the trends in commercial plan participation in the Medicaid market by using a database specifically designed for this purpose. It examines changes from mid-1996 to mid-1997 in the types of full-risk plans serving Medicaid Beneficiaries. It also looks at trends through mid-1998 for the 15 states with the largest number of Medicaid enrollees. Background Paper: : Trends in Commercial Plans' Particpation

  • Join the Debate: Health Issues in the 2000 Election

    Other Post

    Developed as part of a nonpartisan public education initiative of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation and the League of Women Voters Education Fund, this guide provides basic facts about five key health policy topics candidates are discussing in the 2000 election. These topics include health coverage for the uninsured, managed care and patients' rights, Medicare reform, prescription drug coverage for seniors, and long-term care. The guide frames each area and describes major proposals that…

  • Uninsured 101

    Other Post

    What You Really Need to Know About an American Dilemma This briefing, co-sponsored by the Alliance for Health Reform and the Kaiser Family Foundation, provides key information on one of the critical issues facing the nation. Since 1991, the Alliance has organized scores of forums in Washington, presenting a wide range of expert views to legislative staff, journalists, policy analysts and advocates. Led by Democratic Senator Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia and Republican Senator Bill…