Uninsured rates among minority groups in the US fell between 2010 and 2022, according to reports released Friday by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
The increase in the number of insured people points to the impact of the Affordable Care Act, the healthcare law signed by former President Obama.
The uninsured rate among Black Americans fell from 20.9 percent in 2010 to 10.8 percent in 2022, based on available census data analyzed in the reports.
Among Latinos, the uninsured rate fell from 32.7% to 18% and from 32.4% to 19.9% among American Indians and Alaska Natives during this period.
The uninsured rate among Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) fell from 16.6% to 6.2% from 2010 to 2022.
The Affordable Care Act took effect under the Obama administration in 2010, aligning with the beginning of the range of census data analyzed in the reports.
HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra praised the findings in a press release accompanying the reports on Friday.
“Today’s data shows how far we’ve come to reach Black, Latino, Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations, as well as American Indian and Alaska Native populations, who are disproportionately uninsured,” said Becerra .
The administration also announced a $500 million investment in the agency’s Navigators program, which aims to promote the ACA and help Americans understand the coverage options available under the legislation. The $500 million will be issued in subsidies over the next five years.
“HHS is doubling down on our efforts by announcing another historic investment in Navigators, helping us continue to achieve record enrollment in underserved communities,” Becerra’s statement said.
The reports come nearly three months after the ACA turned 14 in March. Biden and his campaign, on the commemorative date, highlighted threats to repeal the ACA since its passage by former president Donald Trump and the Republicans.
“Donald Trump tried to steal our health care,” read a Biden campaign ad released the same weekend.
“If he succeeds… 45 million Americans could lose their health insurance, and you could be one of them,” the ad continued.
“The repeal of the Affordable Care Act has been in virtually every Republican budget in Congress since the law was passed,” Biden said in a post on social platform X on the anniversary of the ACA’s passage.
“There are even budget cuts that they presented this week. I’ve stopped them before and I’ll stop them again,” Biden said. publish continuous.
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