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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
Other key facts about the uninsured >>

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  • Survey of Hurricane Katrina Evacuees

    Report

    To give voice to people whose lives have been devastated by Hurricane Katrina and the ensuing floods, The Washington Post, the Kaiser Family Foundation, and the Harvard School of Public Health conducted a unique survey of evacuees in shelters in the Houston area. The provides information on evacuees' lives before the hurricane and inside Houston area shelters, as well as their plans for the future. The survey also includes a number of health-related questions, including…

  • Pulling it Together: What Will Health Reform Do For Me?

    Perspective

    There is one poll number that may be more important to watch than any other if we have a big debate about health reform: The percentage of Americans who think that they or their families would be better off if the president and the Congress enacted major health reform legislation. It's a number that signals whether people think that health reform legislation will actually help them with the problems they are having in the current…

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

    Report

    Impact of Potential Changes to ERISA: Litigation and Appeal Experience of CalPERS, Other Large Public Employers and a Large California Health Plan June 1998 By Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.Sandra Hunt, M.P.A.John Saari, M.A.A.A.Kelly Traw, J.D. Background 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…

  • Medicare Restructuring: The FEHBP Model

    Report

    This report provides a comprehensive description of the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) and compares the FEHBP and Medicare programs as they are currently structured. It reviews evidence on the performance of FEHBP and examines the implications of restructuring Medicare to conform to a FEHBP-based plan. Overall, the report suggests that FEHBP offers some promise as an approach for reforming Medicare, but important issues would have to be addressed to adapt the model to…

  • Medicaid Coverage and Care for the Homeless Population: Key Lessons to Consider for the 2014 Medicaid Expansion

    Report

    Beginning in 2014, the Affordable Care Act ACA provides for a significant Medicaid expansion uninsured, low-income adults. Given their low incomes and high uninsured rate, individuals experiencing homelessness could significantly benefit from this expansion. However, it will be important to address the barriers they face to enrolling in coverage and accessing needed care. This report, based on eight focus group discussions with administrators and frontline workers serving the homeless population in four cities, identifies enrollment…

  • Resources on Immigrants and Health Care Coverage

    Report

    The Foundation's Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured has collected some resources on the health coverage of America's immigrants. Overview of Health Coverage for Individuals with Limited English Proficiency Key Facts on Health Coverage for Low-Income Immigrants Today and Under Health Reform Connecting Eligible Immigrant Families to Health Coverage and Care: Key Lessons from Outreach and Enrollment Workers New Option for States to Provide Federally Funded Medicaid and CHIP Coverage to Additional Immigrant Children…

  • A Profile of American Indians and Alaska Natives and Their Health Coverage

    Issue Brief

    A Profile of American Indians and Alaska Natives and Their Health Coverage This brief examines the health coverage, access to care and health status of American Indians and Alaska Natives across the country. Although the U.S. government has an established responsibility through tribal agreements to provide health care services to members of federally recognized Indian tribes, many American Indians and Alaska Natives lack access to health care. The brief gives an overview of the some…

  • Improving Access to Adult Primary Care in Medicaid: Exploring the Potential Role of Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants

    Issue Brief

    The inadequate supply of primary care providers is among the major challenges facing the U.S. health care system. Sixty-five million people live in areas designated by the federal government as having a shortage of primary care providers. Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), the pressures on access are certain to grow as millions of newly insured people enter the health care system. By 2020, the U.S. will face an estimated shortage of…

  • Determining Income for Adults Applying for Medicaid and Exchange Coverage Subsidies: How Income Measured With a Prior Tax Return Compares to Current Income at Enrollment

    Issue Brief

    A major goal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) is to significantly expand coverage and reduce the number of uninsured. Beginning in 2014, the ACA will establish a new continuum of coverage that will provide assistance to individuals with incomes up to 400% of poverty through a broad expansion in Medicaid and by making premium tax credits available to eligible individuals to purchase coverage through new Health Insurance Exchanges. The law standardizes…