Pennsylvania's uninsured rate hit a record low
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Uninsured rates hit record lows in Pennsylvania and all U.S. states by 2023, driven by coverage expansions under the Affordable Care Act and related policy changes, per a new report.
Why it matters: The drop in uninsured residents helps boost the state's overall health performance, in which Pennsylvania ranks 13 in the nation.
By the numbers: The uninsured rate for working-age Pennsylvania adults dropped from 13.6% in 2013 to 7.1% in 2023, according to an analysis of census data from the Commonwealth Fund, a health care foundation.
- Nationwide, the uninsured rate for U.S. adults dropped from 20.4% in 2013 to 11% in 2023.
The big picture: The Commonwealth Fund annually ranks states on their health performance across a variety of metrics, including access, affordability, prevention and rates of insured residents.
Zoom in: Pennsylvania performed well in three categories, including how much residents pay in out-of-pocket medical expenses compared to the state's median income.
- The Commonwealth had the third-best rate in limiting alcohol deaths, with about 8 per 100,000 people compared with the U.S. average of 12.6, per the report.
- Pennsylvania also saw improvements or no changes in 10 of the 19 health disparity indicators, per the report.
Yes, but: Pennsylvania was No. 32 in the nation for avoidable hospital use and cost, its lowest ranking out of the fund's five categories.
Zoom out: Pennsylvania's overall health performance ranks second-to-last in the Mid-Atlantic, a region that includes high-performing areas like New York (6th overall) and Washington, D.C. (5th).
What we're watching: Congressional Republicans have been pushing for significant Medicaid cuts and changes that could result in millions of Americans losing their coverage.