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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1,091 - 1,100 of 1,309 Results

  • Getting Behind the Numbers on Access to Care

    Other Post

    Insurance Status:Insured PeopleProblem Group:Getting Needed Medical CareSelf-rating of Severity of Consequences:Very or Somewhat SeriousSexAgeResponseMale22Fungus on my foot, coverage at my work did not cover it because it was not preventative care. Pretty uncomfortable, could tell it was not a normal infection. Went to store bought stuff, medication, over the counter.Female32It affects me physically and mentally. I am tired all the time.Male38Conscious of a lot of pain and discomfort for about 3 weeks. But doctor made…

  • Understanding Individual Health Insurance Markets

    Other Post

    : Structure, Practices, and Products in Ten States New Study of Individual Health Insurance Market: Major Barriers Identified in Individual Health Insurance Market for People with Health Problems. Rates and Regulations Vary Across Ten States Studied Denials, Waiting Periods, and High Premiums Pose Problems for Pre-Medicare Population For Immediate Release Tuesday, March 17, 1998 Washington, DC - For many people who have health problems or who are approaching the age of retirement, coverage through the…

  • Impact of Potential Changes to ERISA: Litigation and Appeals Experience of CalPERS, Other Large Public Employers and a Large California Health Plan

    Report

    The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) currently preempts state law related to the wrongful denial or delay of health benefits to the extent that such laws relate to a health benefit plan sponsored by a private employer. This report examines the frequency, nature and costs associated with the appeals and litigation that state and local governmental employers have experienced. Information was gathered through multiple telephone interviews with individuals with extensive involvement in administrative appeals…

  • National Survey on Medicare: The Next Big Health Policy Debate? – News Release

    Other Post

    National Survey Suggests Need for Broad Public Debate About Medicare Reform:Americans Know Medicare Faces Problems, But Not Ready To Make Hard Choices Future Options Not Well UnderstoodFew Know About Medicare+Choice Embargoed For Release Until: Noon, Tuesday, October 20, 1998 For further information contact: Matt James or Tina Hoff (650) 854-9400 or Sara Knoll (202) 347-5270 Washington, DC - A new survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation and Harvard School of Public Health highlights the challenges…

  • Native Americans and Medicaid: Coverage and Financing Issues

    Other Post

    Native Americans and Medicaid:Coverage and Financing Issues Medicaid as Medicare Premium Assistance The Medicare program provides health insurance coverage for the nation's elderly and disabled.16 To enroll in Medicare Part B, which offers coverage for physician and other outpatient care, individuals must be 65 or older or must be disabled, and must pay a monthly premium. This monthly premium, which is generally deducted from an individual's Social Security check, is $43.80 per month in 1997.…

  • National Survey on Medicare: The Next Big Health Policy Debate?

    Report

    A survey of Americans on their knowledge and opinions about the proposed options for Medicare reform finds that most Americans know Medicare faces problems, but are not ready to make hard choices and are not well informed on the options, including Medicare+Choice. The Kaiser/Harvard National Survey on Medicare is a product of the Kaiser-Harvard Program on the Public and Health/Social Policy, which regularly conducts surveys on health and other national issues. It was designed and…

  • Changes in Insurance Coverage: 1994-2000 and Beyond

    Report

    This background report explores the insurance trends for the latter half of the 1990s and examines why the number of uninsured nonelderly Americans fell in 2000 for the second straight year. Some of the key findings include: -- Between 1999 and 2000, the number of uninsured declined by 570,000; uninsured children actually declined by 700,000 while the number of uninsured adults increased by 130,000. Expansions in Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)…

  • Solvency or Affordability?  Ways to Measure Medicare’s Financial Health

    Report

    Solvency or Affordability? Ways to Measure Medicare's Financial Health This report examines different ways of measuring Medicare s financial health and considers their implications for the future of the program and the people it serves. Using an alternative measure of Medicare's long-term affordability that focuses on workers' capacity to absorb additional costs over time, the analysis concludes that the nation could afford to pay more for Medicare in the future without imposing an undue burden…