What is the story about?
According to new data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 8% of Americans lacked health insurance in 2025. The findings,
released on Thursday, indicate that this rate has remained stable across the population. However, experts warn that the number of uninsured individuals may rise in the coming year due to significant changes implemented by the Trump administration regarding health care policies. These adjustments could impact millions of Americans who rely on Medicaid and Affordable Care Act subsidies.
Impact of Policy Changes
Recent legislation altering Medicaid, the federal health program for low-income Americans, is projected to leave an additional 10 million individuals uninsured over the next decade, as estimated by the Congressional Budget Office. The reduction in Affordable Care Act subsidies this year is also expected to diminish enrollment in marketplace health plans, with around 5 million fewer participants anticipated in 2026 compared to 2025, according to KFF, a health care research organization.Variability in Data Sources
The government utilizes several programs to track the insurance status of Americans, which can yield varying statistics based on timing and methodology. David Howard, a professor of health policy and management at Emory University, noted that many researchers regard the U.S. Census Bureau as the authoritative source for this data.The CDC's findings closely align with Census data and provide comprehensive insights for 2025, marking the first complete year under President Donald Trump’s second term.
Administration's Health Initiatives
The Trump administration has aimed to enhance access to low-premium catastrophic health insurance plans and reduce drug prices for uninsured Americans. Officials have suggested that the expected decrease in insurance enrollment reflects a reduction in fraudulent claims rather than a decline in eligible individuals.Demographic Trends
While the overall percentage of insured and uninsured Americans remained stable in 2025, the number of uninsured individuals increased by approximately 800,000, including 300,000 children. This growth can be attributed to the overall increase in the U.S. population.The survey also hints at a potential rise in insurance coverage among Hispanic Americans, which could be influenced by the Trump administration’s immigration policies that may have led some uninsured individuals to leave the country, according to Howard.
Historical Context
Most Americans aged 65 and older receive health insurance through Medicare, while younger populations often depend on a mix of public and private insurance options. The uninsured rate for Americans under 65 escalated from 12% in 1980 to over 18% in 2010, before declining after the Affordable Care Act's passage in 2010. By 2016, the rate approached 10%, only to rise again during Trump's first term, reaching 11 to 12%.The COVID-19 pandemic temporarily reduced the uninsured rate due to government measures aimed at maintaining coverage amid disruptions, resulting in an all-time low of below 9% in 2023.
