ACA Continues To Thin Ranks Of Uninsured In California

The Affordable Care Act has continued to thin the ranks of the uninsured in California, according to a new study by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

            The foundation's latest longitudinal report has concluded that 72% of those Californians who lacked insurance in 2013 now have coverage, either through the Covered California health insurance exchange, through the expanded eligibility of the Medi-Cal program, or the state's improving economy.

            That compares to 68% of those who were uninsured having coverage in 2015, and just 58% in 2014.

            Medi-Cal accounts for covering a third of those Californians who were recently uninsured, coverage offered through employers represented another 21%, while enrollments in Covered California represented 11%.

            The coverage has also been stable. Whereas 70% of those who lacked insurance in 2013 said they had gone without coverage for two years or more, 63% who have coverage now said they have had it in place for at least the last year. Nearly half (48%) say they have had coverage in place for two years or more. Only 14% said their coverage has been unstable, meaning they lost coverage for some period in the last year and regained it at a later date.

            “California has made great strides over the past three years, with consumers getting coverage under the Affordable Care Act, getting better employer-based coverage and benefiting from a competitive market that has cut California’s uninsured rate to 8.1%,” said Peter V. Lee, executive director of Covered California. “We know we have more to do to assure that all eligible Californians are able to get the affordable, quality care they deserve, but we should pause to appreciate the progress made in three short years.”

            Along with the new insurance coverage, the proportion of the previously uninsured Californians who say they are receiving appropriate healthcare rose from 49% in 2013 to 77% this year.

            Affordability concerns have diminished among those with insurance, but it remains an issue. While 80% of those who lacked insurance in 2013 said they worried about paying their medical bills, the proportion among those who now have coverage dropped to only 53%. And 20% still said they put off obtaining medical care in the past year due to cost concerns.

            And among those who remain uninsured, many say affordability continues to be an issue. According to the study, 47% say that they cannot afford to purchase coverage. Another 19% say that eligibility issues are a concern, including those who may not be residing in the state legally.

            According to the study, 10% of those who remain uninsured are likely undocumented immigrants, which bars them from participating in either Medi-Cal or through Covered California. Latinos comprise 67% of those who lack insurance. But among those Latinos who are eligible for coverage, their rate of participation is equivalent to whites.

            Only 2% said that they swore off health insurance due to philosophical or political opposition to the ACA, the study concluded.

            The study indicated many Californians still have lack of knowledge about the specifics of the ACA. While more than 80% of those surveyed say they are aware of the tax penalty for not having insurance coverage, only 54% were aware of the expansion of the Medi-Cal program, and less than half knew that tax credits and other subsidies were available to make coverage more affordable.