In 2008, Gallup—in conjunction with Healthways—started following health care insecurity, keeping track of affordability. Notably, this year marks an all-time low for health care insecurity since tracking began. Gallup-Healthways’ Well-Being Index, a survey conducted via phone from January 1, 2016 through March 31, 2016 polled 45,000 American adults on their health care insecurity. Their findings? Only 15.5% claim health care insecurity.
This is a record low since the ACA came into effect in 2010, with 2013’s figure of 18.7% being the previous benchmark. The poll defines “insecurity” as the inability to afford health care (including medicine) for themselves or family members within the past twelve months.
A similar beneficial decline comes from the percentage of uninsured Americans, as 11% were uninsured in the first quarter of 2016; comparatively 17.1% were uninsured within the months closing out 2013.
The uptick in health care affordability presumably coincides with the state of the economy, as escalating employment rates and lower gas prices have ultimately contributed to more money in Americans’ pockets. However, the Affordable Care Act plays a major role, considering the study also found that uninsured Americans were three times more likely to encounter affordability issues with health care than those who are insured.
Affordable Care Act were repealed, these trends would likely be reversed. This is further substantiated by a report from the Urban Institute, suggesting that by 2020, 24 million Americans would be uninsured in the event of an ACA repeal.