Open enrollment could reduce Texas uninsured rate, nonprofit says
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Millions of uninsured Texans likely qualify for health insurance through Marketplace and other government programs, according to the public policy nonprofit Texas 2036.
Why it matters: Texas continues to have the country's largest share of Americans under 65 without health insurance, Census Bureau data shows.
- Nearly 19% of Texans were uninsured as of 2022, nearly double the national uninsured rate of 9.5%.
The latest: Open enrollment is underway now through Jan. 15 for Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage.
- About two million uninsured Texans, or roughly 40% of the state's uninsured population, could qualify for free coverage through ACA plans or kids programs like Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), per the nonpartisan think tank.
What they're saying: "In a state as dynamic and economically successful as Texas, access to affordable health insurance should be within everyone's reach," David Leebron, president and CEO of Texas 2036, said in a statement.
- "The ACA Marketplace offers a critical opportunity to reduce our state's uninsured rate and improve the lives of millions of Texans."
Zoom in: The nonprofit ran an analysis of current plans to find monthly premium prices in Texas' 10 most populous counties for a single, 40-year-old person earning $37,650 per year, which is 250% of the Federal Poverty Level.
- In Bexar County, bronze plans are $0 monthly, gold plans cost $54.42 and silver plans are $114.95, per Texas 2036.
- Silver plans often have higher premiums than gold ones because they include extra benefits for people with lower incomes.
- The difference in most plans is your share of the cost and the deductible.
Context: Texas has seen the fastest growth of any state in Marketplace enrollment since 2020, more than tripling, per the health nonprofit Kaiser Family Foundation.
- Last year, more Texans than ever enrolled in coverage through Marketplace, with nearly 3.5 million people securing coverage.
What's next: To explore plans or apply for coverage, visit healthcare.gov.