How Many People Will Be Helped By Obamacare?

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As preparations for the switchover to state and federal health exchanges are in full swing, CashAdvanceOnline looks at the numbers to see just how many Americans currently without health insurance will benefit from the Affordable Care Act when it comes into full force on January 1, 2014.

Assistance under Obamacare giving more people coverage

Without a doubt, the share of people eligible for assistance under Obamacare stretches far in some states and covers a larger percentage of those who are not currently receiving federal subsidies or Medicaid. Another effect of the Affordable Care Act is that Medicaid is being expanded in certain states.

Expansion of Medicaid as a result of Obamacare

According to figures from the Urban Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 66% of uninsured Americans living in the District of Columbia and the 24 states that have expanded Medicaid will be able to apply for Medicaid or federal subsidies. In turn, this will allow them to buy insurance coverage on the state/federal Obamacare exchanges depending on the individual’s area of residence.

What about the states that have not opted  to expand Medicaid?

26 states have taken the decision to not expand Medicaid and as a result, only 38% of the uninsured individuals within those areas will be eligible for Medicaid. In those that have decided not to expand Medicaid, the figures are considerably lower for percentages of people who will be eligible for Obamacare. As the table below shows, a large number of those states are within the South.

A state-by-state guide to how many uninsured Americans will get Obamacare

The following figures were sourced from the Urban Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. They show the percentage of uninsured residents within each state that will be eligible for Obamacare.

States with the highest percentage of uninsured

At the higher end of the spectrum, West Virginia and Kentucky will see the largest percentage of uninsured Americans get coverage via the new universal health care system.

In those states, 81% of those currently without insurance will be able to get extended Medicaid and/or subsidies to allow them to purchase insurance.

• Kentucky is offering insurance through its own state exchange, which can be found at Kynect.com.
• West Virginia, on the other hand, is opting for the federal exchange, at HealthCare.gov.

States with the lowest percentage of uninsured

Texas and Georgia have the lowest percentage of uninsured Americans receiving Obamacare. Texas is the lowest at 34%, with Georgia close behind at 35%.

• Both Texas and Georgia are offering insurance through the federal exchange at HealthCare.gov.

What do you make of these figures? Are you currently uninsured and do you live within one of the states with a high or low percentage of eligibility for Obamacare? We want to hear what you think. Leave a comment below!