Fact Check: "The U.S. uninsured rate has reached record lows due to recent health policies."
What We Know
Recent data from the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) indicates that the overall number of Americans without health insurance has decreased significantly, dropping by 4.4 million from 2020 to 2024. This equates to a reduction in the uninsured rate from 9.7% in 2020 to 8.2% in 2024, marking a 15% decline in the uninsured population (NCHS Pressroom). Among working-age Americans (ages 18–64), the uninsured rate fell from 13.9% in 2020 to 11.6% in 2024 (NCHS Pressroom).
The report highlights that the percentage of uninsured children remained stable at 5.1%, and disparities in coverage exist among different racial and ethnic groups. For instance, the uninsured rate for Black, non-Hispanic adults aged 18–64 decreased from 14.6% to 10.5%, while the rate for Hispanic adults in the same age group was notably higher at 24.6% in 2024 (NCHS Pressroom).
Further supporting this trend, a report from the Commonwealth Fund noted that uninsured rates fell to record lows across all states by 2023, largely attributed to the Affordable Care Act's coverage expansions and recent state-level Medicaid expansions (Commonwealth Fund, Axios).
Analysis
The claim that the U.S. uninsured rate has reached record lows due to recent health policies is supported by substantial evidence from credible sources. The NCHS report, which is a reliable government source, provides detailed statistics showing a significant decline in the uninsured population, affirming the effectiveness of recent health policies (NCHS Pressroom).
Additionally, the Commonwealth Fund's findings corroborate these statistics, indicating that the improvements in health coverage are consistent across states and are likely a result of the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid expansions (Commonwealth Fund, Axios). This suggests a broader consensus among health policy researchers regarding the positive impact of these policies on reducing the uninsured rate.
However, it is important to note that while the overall trend is positive, challenges remain, particularly in states that have not expanded Medicaid, where uninsured rates are significantly higher (NCHS Pressroom). Furthermore, potential future policy changes, such as proposed cuts to Medicaid and ACA funding, could threaten these gains (NPR, New York Times, Politifact).
The reliability of the sources used in this analysis is high, given that they include government reports and reputable health organizations. These sources are less likely to be biased compared to opinion pieces or politically motivated claims.
Conclusion
The claim that "The U.S. uninsured rate has reached record lows due to recent health policies" is True. The evidence from multiple credible sources indicates a significant decrease in the uninsured population, primarily attributed to the implementation and expansion of health policies such as the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid expansions. While there are ongoing challenges, particularly in certain states, the overall trend reflects a successful reduction in the uninsured rate.
Sources
- U.S. Uninsured Rate Drops by 15% Since 2020 | NCHS Pressroom | CDC
- PDF Historic Improvements to Health Care in America
- U.S. uninsured rates could resurge if Trump's budget bill passes
- Senate Version of Trump's Policy Bill Would Slash Medicaid Spending ...
- Republican megabill will mean higher health costs for many Americans
- U.S. Health Care Rankings by State 2025 | Commonwealth Fund
- Takeaways: New Report Finds Health Care Gains Across U.S. - but Threats ...
- Change in uninsured rate by state - Axios
