Fact Check: "Approximately 25 million Americans were uninsured in 2018"
What We Know
The claim that "approximately 25 million Americans were uninsured in 2018" is a statistic often referenced in discussions about healthcare coverage in the United States. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of uninsured individuals in the United States was approximately 27.5 million in 2018, which is slightly higher than the claim suggests. This data is derived from the Census Bureau's annual report on health insurance coverage, which provides detailed statistics on the number of uninsured Americans and trends over time.
Additionally, the Kaiser Family Foundation, a reputable source for health policy analysis, reported similar figures, noting that around 27.9 million people were uninsured in 2018. This aligns closely with the Census Bureau's findings and indicates a consistent understanding of the uninsured population during that year.
Analysis
While the claim of "approximately 25 million" uninsured Americans in 2018 is close to the actual figures reported by credible sources, it is not entirely accurate. The U.S. Census Bureau and the Kaiser Family Foundation both provide data that indicates the number of uninsured was closer to 27 million.
The sources used to verify this claim are reliable and well-regarded in the field of health policy. The U.S. Census Bureau is a government agency responsible for collecting and analyzing demographic data, making its reports authoritative. The Kaiser Family Foundation is a non-profit organization that focuses on health issues and is widely respected for its research and analysis in healthcare policy.
However, the slight discrepancy in numbers could stem from different methodologies or definitions of "uninsured" used by various organizations. For example, some reports may include individuals who are temporarily uninsured or exclude certain populations, leading to variations in the reported figures.
Conclusion
Verdict: Unverified
The claim that "approximately 25 million Americans were uninsured in 2018" is not entirely accurate. While it is close to the actual figures reported by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Kaiser Family Foundation, both sources indicate that the number of uninsured was around 27 million. Therefore, the claim is misleading and should be considered unverified due to its inaccuracy.
