In early 2024, the rate of Americans without health insurance increased, reversing a trend of record-low uninsured figures. The CDC reported that more than 8% of Americans were uninsured through March, equating to about 27.1 million people. This marks a rise from 7.7% in early 2023.
The increase of 3.4 million uninsured individuals is notable but not yet statistically significant, according to CDC’s Christy Hagen. This shift follows a period of historically low uninsured rates achieved during the COVID-19 pandemic, when temporary changes to Medicaid helped reduce coverage gaps.
As states resume Medicaid eligibility checks, known as “unwinding,” by the end of the month, insurance rates are expected to revert to pre-pandemic levels by 2026. The Congressional Budget Office also forecasts a rising uninsured rate due to the end of pandemic-era policies and increased immigration.
