Census: 16.2% Of Idaho Uninsured

The percentage of Idahoans with no health insurance was unchanged between 2012 and 2013. A new report from the U.S. Census Bureau says 16.2 percent of the state’s residents lacked health coverage in 2013. That’s about 257,000 people. The nation as a whole saw a slight decline in the uninsured in that time, from 14.8 percent in 2012 to 14.5 percent in 2013. Idaho’s uninsured rate was among the highest in the country. Twelve states were higher, including Idaho’s neighbors Montana and Nevada. When the numbers are crunched next year Idaho might see a substantial change. As of the end of March 2014 (the most recent numbers available) more than 76,000 Idahoans had purchased insurance through the state’s health insurance exchange/ Adam Cotterell , KBSX 91.5. More here.

Question: Almost one-third of those now listed as uninsured have purchased insurance as a result of Obamacare. That’s a good thing, right? Wrong?