Though details are still sketchy about just how many people now have employee benefits or a private policy thanks to the Affordable Care Act, new numbers have been revealed regarding how many people weren't fully covered in 2012 and those who gained coverage as a result of the health care law.
Approximately 32 million Americans under the age of 65 were underinsured two years ago, according to recent analysis from the Commonwealth Fund. For the purposes of the study, the independent research firm defined "underinsured" as those who had coverage, but the proceeds were insufficient for policyholders' treatment needs.
Additionally, the study found that approximately 47 million people didn't have any type of health coverage – a decline of approximately 2 million from 2010 figures. Researchers for the Commonwealth Fund indicated that the modest decline in the uninsured rate was likely due to the ACA, which was signed into law in March 2010.
The health reform law appears to have helped people in the way that it was initially intended to, according to Cathy Schoen, senior vice president of the Commonwealth Fund and the report's lead author.
"The vast majority of people struggling to afford health care are low- and middle- income, and exactly the people the Affordable Care Act was designed to help," said Schoen. "This report demonstrates that the health reform law was accurately targeted toward the needs of the uninsured and underinsured."
She added that one of the main reasons why more people have access to health insurance relates to the expansion of Medicaid.
Though the March 31 deadline has passed, health officials are still urging those who haven't signed up to do so. HealthCare.gov says that for those who started to sign up but were prevented from finishing, they'll have until mid-April to get covered without having to worry about being penalized.
