ACA proves to be resilient in 2017 despite attacks from the Trump-Pence Administration, but Latino community remains the most uninsured group, new Census Bureau data shows

Washington, D.C.—This week, the New Census Bureau data on the number of uninsured individuals living in the United States was released. The numbers show a slight downtick of the insured rate under the first year of the Trump-Pence Administration which can potentially become a trend if not remedied. The new Census data also shows that states that adopted the ACA’s Medicaid expansion had a much lower uninsured rate in 2017 than states that have not, indicating that the gap continues to widen. Both Florida and Texas, states with large Latino communities, have not expanded Medicaid and Texas has the highest uninsured rate of any state (17.3 percent) and Florida the third highest (12.9%). Latinos, people with low-incomes, and people in states that did not adopt Medicaid expansion continue to be the least insured.

The ACA allowed over four million Latinos to gain coverage and gain access to preventive health services without cost sharing, including cervical cancer screenings and contraception. Cervical cancer is highly preventable but Latinas have the highest cervical cancer incidence rates nationally. According to researchers, the ACA resulted in women under the age of 26 to be diagnosed at earlier stages of cervical cancer. These gains are threatened by current attacks from the Trump-Pence administration to gut coverage for people with pre-existing conditions and other forms of coverage. The newest census numbers also show that Hispanics continue to be the most uninsured group in the United States.

Nina Esperanza Serrianne, policy analyst at the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health (NLIRH) issued the following statement:

“Over the last year and a half, the drastic reduction of the open enrollment period, slashing of navigator funds, and changes to the program created further confusion for folks seeking coverage, especially in immigrant communities.These sabotage tactics will only continue to prevent additional gains in coverage. The barriers to coverage created by the Trump-Pence Administration are  particularly harmful for immigrants in mix-status households, as people are unsure if they are eligible for coverage or if it jeopardizes the safety of undocumented individuals in the home. Despite the 84 percent decrease in funding to navigator programs, individuals will be able to get help signing up for coverage in the language they need via the support of community based organizations. As we get ready for next year’s  enrollment period from November 1st to December 15, 2018 it is important for people to know that they are likely eligible for some form of financial assistance or even full coverage. Fifty five percent of all uninsured people are eligible for insurance with support.

The ACA has opened the door to affordable, quality, culturally competent and linguistically appropriate health coverage and care for Latinos/xs*. The numbers released today indicate a warning of what is anticipated under the Trump-Pence administration and the impact on our community’s health and well-being. NLIRH will continue to fight for reproductive justice and access to the life-saving healthcare our community needs and deserves.”

For more information on NLIRH’s fight for health, dignity and justice, visit us at latinainstitute.org or follow us on Facebook and Twitter @NLIRH.
 

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The National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health is the only national reproductive justice organization dedicated to building Latina power to advance health, dignity, and justice for 28 million Latinas, their families, and communities in the United States through leadership development, community mobilization, policy advocacy, and strategic communications.