Finally, some good news
Tuesday, May 17, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From the US Department of Health & Human Services…
Illinois Uninsured Rate Reaches Historic Low
Today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the latest National Health Interview Survey. The survey shows that the uninsured rate for all ages fell to 9.1 percent in 2015, making it the first year in our nation’s history that fewer than 1 in 10 Americans lacked health insurance.
In addition, the survey showed that the uninsured rate in Illinois had reached 6.8%.
* The full report is here. If you scroll way down, you’ll see that Illinois’ uninsured rate in 2013 for people aged 18-65 was 17.8 percent. By 2015 it was 9.9 percent. That’s a 44 percent decrease.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 3:23 pm:
I blame Obama for this.
- ChicagoVinny - Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 3:24 pm:
Thanks, Obama!
- Honeybear - Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 3:24 pm:
ACA has helped so many people. So so many people.
- NorthsideNoMore - Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 3:28 pm:
Yay for yet Another government program that most people it was ” designed to help” can’t afford. Brought to you by people whom upon it has no impact. Rates up 66% in 2 1/2 years.
- Anon221 - Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 3:28 pm:
Very good news! Now my downer- that was 2015. What has happened, and could happen since with all the hulabaloo in Illinois???
- Just Me - Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 3:29 pm:
Thanks, Obama.
- Formerly Known As... - Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 3:29 pm:
This is great news.
The premium increases aren’t so great, but ideally they will get those under control as well.
- JS Mill - Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 3:34 pm:
=ACA has helped so many people. So so many people.=
It has hurt some too, or at least caused some to be hurt. We could not afford the $240,000 it would cost to insure our non-cert staff so their hours were reduced.
The law is wrought with so many landmines, navigating it has required an enormous amount of time from already stressed staff. I am just waiting for the IRS to contact us with a violation notice as I am sure many will be contacted.
I am glad more were able to find insurance, that is a good thing. It does come at a cost that some of us are struggling with though.
With respect
- Groucho - Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 3:34 pm:
Now let’s work on getting the cost of medical care down.
Also, lets get some doctors for our Vets. It takes months for them to see a doctor.
- cdog - Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 3:35 pm:
Texas, who is revered in GOP circles and has not participated in the medicare expansion provided for by the ACA, is WORST in nation at 16.8%.
just sayin’.
Good job Illinois taking care of people. Will we be able catch up with the rest of the First World on this? Maybe so.
Now if we could only get some reasonable deductibles so people could use their insurance. One of these days the actual providers will realize they are being squeezed by insurance companies….
A free clinic in Los Angeles had 1000s show up last month, many getting services they could not afford due to high deductibles.
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/free-medical-clinic-in-los-angeles-draws-thousands/
- RNUG - Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 3:37 pm:
Just wait until all the locked out / on strike State workers and teachers lose their health insurance …
- Really? - Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 3:41 pm:
The 44% decrease almost matches the amount our health insurance premiums have increased over the same period of time. Wasn’t it supposed to get less expensive for everyone?
- Dean Walcott - Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 3:41 pm:
In addition, wait till people figure out that you do not have to be employed full time to have health insurance. That is the real dinosaur of the system.
- Moist von Lipwig - Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 4:11 pm:
Good news done on Gov. Quinn’s watch, and Rauner wouldn’t have supported it. He didn’t support Medicaid expansion. Who knows what he would have done in 2009-2010 when the law was put together.
- NoGifts - Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 4:14 pm:
Because we wanted health care reform but we had to settle for insurance reform.
- Mama - Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 4:37 pm:
Rich, is this due to Obama-Care?
- anon - Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 5:07 pm:
The first time the uninsured rate is below 10 percent. Yet Trump and the GOP promise to repeal the Affordable Care Act, as if it is not the reason for the dramatic drop in the uninsured rate.
- mokenavince - Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 5:21 pm:
All this will be sacked if you listen to the GOP.
Oklahoma bought into Obama Care today,
- PENSIONS ARE OFF LIMITS - Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 5:32 pm:
That almost makes me feel like I live in a blue state. The plutocrats will deny any benfits attributable to these figures.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 5:37 pm:
The black guy did it.
- So what - Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 6:18 pm:
Not only is insurance not care, but it also most certainly not health.
- Tone - Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 9:25 pm:
Um, insurance helps pay for health care. Do you propose doctors be public workers that are unionized?
- DHSJim - Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 11:41 pm:
ACA expansion of Medicaid to single adults from 19 - 64 who fall under the poverty line. As a Human Services Caseworker, I helped many get the healthcare they need.
- Grandson of Man - Wednesday, May 18, 16 @ 5:57 am:
It’s great to see such a sharp drop in the number of uninsured. For that I thank President Obama. We can see the sharp drop in other states as well.
Medicaid expansion has helped so many people, and some Republicans at the state level have seen the wisdom and compassion and accepted Medicaid expansion.
- Anon221 - Wednesday, May 18, 16 @ 8:04 am:
Fresh from NPR this morning- worth a listen:
http://www.npr.org/2016/05/18/478488944/how-obamacare-affects-our-wallets-and-debt-ratio
- Bronco Bahma - Wednesday, May 18, 16 @ 8:22 am:
Weren’t we supposed to be experiencing armageddon at this point, or does that come later?
- kimocat - Wednesday, May 18, 16 @ 9:02 am:
Rauner must think this is a disaster. He better hurry up and completely ruin health insurance for public employees.