Rising Uninsured Rate Shows Need for Relief from Obamacare

(Washington, D.C.) – According to Gallup, the percentage of Americans covered by health insurance peaked in the third and fourth quarter of 2016, and has been declining since.

This drop off isn’t the result of any actions taken by the Trump administration or Congress, which has failed so far to repeal the law. In fact, experts predicted years ago that this decline would eventually occur due to rising costs and fewer choices brought on by the Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare.

With nearly half of American counties set to offer only one Obamacare exchange insurer next year, and with individual premiums having risen by 105 percent over the last four years under the law, consumers are having a harder and harder time finding access to quality, affordable health insurance.

Daniel Garza, President of The LIBRE Initiative, released the following statement:

“These findings should not surprise anyone. Experts have predicted for years that Obamacare would drive up costs and reduce choices for Latino families dramatically, leaving more and more Americans unable to find quality and affordable health insurance that meets their needs. The White House should be applauded for recently taking steps to ease Obamacare’s pain, but Congress must continue working to repeal this failed law, and replace it in a step-by-step approach with targeted reforms that solve underlying problems in health care.

Obamacare has continued to spike premiums, deductibles and out of pocket costs, it has reduced access to quality care, and reduced the number of Spanish-speaking doctors for millions of Latino families. That’s why policymakers need to focus on how to create more access to health insurance at competitive prices for all Americans. The president’s recent actions to give consumers a broader range of options are a step in the right direction. Now, lawmakers must come together on solutions that reduce costs and allow U.S. Hispanics and all Americans to take charge of their own health care decisions.”

For interviews with a representative from The LIBRE Initiative, please contact Brian Faughnan, 202-805-1581 or Wadi Gaitan, 202-853-4463

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