Fewer Americans Are Uninsured—But Is ACA a Success?

The percentage of uninsured Americans dropped below 10% by the end of 2015, compared with 16% when the Affordable Care Act (ACA, or “Obamacare”) was enacted in 2010. While the Obama administration chalks that up as a “win,” ACA critics question whether patients covered under ACA-supported plans have adequate coverage. Further, insurers have complained that offering coverage through ACA’s state exchanges is not cost-effective, with UnitedHealth and Humana deciding to stop participating in many states. Industry watchdogs are concerned that a less-crowded marketplace could lead to higher costs. Children 0–17 years of age have the lowest uninsured rate (4.5%), according to the National Center for Health Statistics.