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.

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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  • A Perilous Gap In Health Insurance Literacy

    News Release

    In his latest column for The Wall Street Journal’s Think Tank, A Perilous Gap In Health Insurance Literacy, Drew Altman discusses how progress in expanding coverage requires greater attention to the problem of health insurance literacy. All previous columns by Drew Altman are available online.

  • How Will the Uninsured in Alaska Fare Under the Affordable Care Act?

    Fact Sheet

    This state report explains how the ACA expands coverage in Alaska, including a breakdown of how many uninsured people are eligible for Medicaid, how many are eligible for financial assistance to help them buy private insurance in the new Marketplace and how many will not receive any financial assistance at all. The report also details, in specific dollar figures, the income levels at which people in Alaska are eligible for Medicaid or financial assistance in…

  • How Will the Uninsured in Maine Fare Under the Affordable Care Act?

    Fact Sheet

    This state report explains how the ACA expands coverage in Maine, including a breakdown of how many uninsured people are eligible for Medicaid, how many are eligible for financial assistance to help them buy private insurance in the new Marketplace and how many will not receive any financial assistance at all. The report also details, in specific dollar figures, the income levels at which people in Maine are eligible for Medicaid or financial assistance in…

  • How Will the Uninsured in Maryland Fare Under the Affordable Care Act?

    Fact Sheet

    This state report explains how the ACA expands coverage in Maryland, including a breakdown of how many uninsured people are eligible for Medicaid, how many are eligible for financial assistance to help them buy private insurance in the new Marketplace and how many will not receive any financial assistance at all. The report also details, in specific dollar figures, the income levels at which people in Maryland are eligible for Medicaid or financial assistance in…

  • How Will the Uninsured in Washington Fare Under the Affordable Care Act?

    Fact Sheet

    This state report explains how the ACA expands coverage in Washington, including a breakdown of how many uninsured people are eligible for Medicaid, how many are eligible for financial assistance to help them buy private insurance in the new Marketplace and how many will not receive any financial assistance at all. The report also details, in specific dollar figures, the income levels at which people in Washington are eligible for Medicaid or financial assistance in…

  • Health Centers in Puerto Rico: Operational Status after Hurricane Maria

    Fact Sheet

    In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico's health centers, a critical part of the island's health care system are working to rebuild; however, recovery remains slow and plagued by many challenges. This interactive map provides a snapshot of the operational status of the 93 health center sites in Puerto Rico.

  • Profiles of Medicaid Outreach and Enrollment Strategies: The Cook County Early Expansion Initiative

    Issue Brief

    The brief provides an overview of the Cook County, Illinois “CountyCare” early expansion waiver experience, which may help inform continued efforts as the Medicaid expansion is implemented across states. It finds that, in just over 12 months, more than 82,000 Cook County residents successfully enrolled in CountyCare coverage, allowing the state and county to get a significant jump start on the Medicaid expansion. Illinois implemented the full Medicaid expansion in January 2014 and automatically transitioned…