STATEMENT: Campus Progress Director Anne Johnson on New Census Data Showing Impact of ACA on Expandi
Washington D.C. — Today, the Census Bureau released new data showing that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has significantly increased the number of Americans with health insurance, reversing a three-year trend of rising uninsured rates. Over the last year, 1.4 million previously uninsured Americans now have health insurance as a result of the ACA, and this is due primarily to a significant increase in the share of young adults that have gained coverage.
Some key statistics from new data out from the Census Bureau:
- In 2010, 51 percent of young adults (19-25), had private insurance coverage.
- In 2011 that number increased to 56.2 percent, a 5.2 percentage points improvement.
- The majority of the gains can be attributed to the ACA provision allowing young adults under 26 to stay on or join their parents’ health plans.
Anne Johnson, director of Campus Progress, released the following statement:
Young Americans are proof that the Affordable Care Act is working. Thanks to the new law, millions of young people won’t have to worry about losing insurance when they graduate from college or while looking for employment.
This is a huge win for young people and their families.
To speak to CP experts, please contact Abraham White at 202.478.6321 or awhite@americanprogress.org.
