The uninsured rate fell by .7 percent nationwide between 2019 and 2021, according to HHS data. While uninsured rates declined in most places, in seven states and the District of Columbia, rates increased slightly during the pandemic.
According to an HHS report published Jan. 13, federal policies like continuous Medicaid enrollment during the public health emergency, increased premium tax credits and enhanced funding for ACA marketplace outreach contributed to the overall decrease in the uninsured rate.
Here are the states where uninsured rates crept up:
Alabama
Uninsured rate 2019: 12.1 percent
Uninsured rate 2021: 12.5 percent
Percentage point change: .4
Iowa
Uninsured rate 2019: 5.8 percent
Uninsured rate 2021: 6.1 percent
Percentage point change: .3
Maryland
Uninsured rate 2019: 7.0 percent
Uninsured rate 2021: 7.3 percent
Percentage point change: .2
North Dakota
Uninsured rate 2019: 8.5 percent
Uninsured rate 2021: 8.8 percent
Percentage point change: .2
Arkansas
Uninsured rate 2019: 11.5 percent
Uninsured rate 2020: 11.6 percent
Percentage point change: .1
District of Columbia
Uninsured rate 2019: 4.0 percent
Uninsured rate 2021: 4.2 percent
Percentage point change: .1
Colorado
Uninsured rate 2019: 9.4 percent
Uninsured rate 2021: 9.5 percent
Percentage point change: .1
Rhode Island
Uninsured rate 2019: 5.0 percent
Uninsured rate 2021: 5.1 percent
Percentage point change: .1