Texas tops U.S. in uninsured rate
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Texas' uninsured rate has dropped significantly over the past decade — but it's still the highest in the country.
The latest: A new report from the Commonwealth Fund shows that 21.6% of working-age Texans lacked health coverage in 2023, down from 29.8% in 2013.
- It shows about 1 in 5 adults are still uninsured.
The big picture: States that expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) saw the steepest drops.
- Texas is one of 10 states that still hasn't expanded Medicaid, leaving many low-income adults in a "coverage gap" where they fail to qualify for either ACA plans or Medicaid.
- Nearly 4 million Texans signed up for health plans through the federal ACA marketplace this year, underscoring the demand for affordable coverage.
By the numbers: Nationally, the uninsured rate for adults aged 19–64 fell from 20.4% in 2013 to 11% in 2023.
Between the lines: Texas also has a large undocumented population, which further contributes to its uninsured rate, since undocumented immigrants aren't eligible for ACA benefits.
Worthy of your time: Potential federal cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) could cost Texas nearly $7 billion in GDP, over 67,000 jobs, and more than $400 million in state and local tax revenue next year.