© 2025 WGCU News
PBS and NPR for Southwest Florida
Donate
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Rate Of Uninsured Drops To 16.6 Percent In FL

WUSF | By Associated Press,
Associated Press
Published September 16, 2015 at 12:25 PM EDT

The rate of Floridians without health insurance dropped to 16.6 percent last year.

Figures released Wednesday by the U.S. Census Bureau shows that represents a drop of 3.4 percentage points from a rate of 20 percent in 2013.

Despite the drop, Florida still had the third highest rate of residents without health insurance. Only Texas and Alaska had higher rates.

The national rate was 10.4 percent.

Officials attribute the decrease in Florida and around the country to passage of the Affordable Care Act, which expanded health insurance to millions of Americans.

The act gave states the option of expanding Medicaid. Some did so, and others like Florida chose not to do so.

Census officials say states that expanded Medicaid had bigger decreases in the uninsured rates than those that didn't.

Copyright 2020 WUSF Public Media - WUSF 89.7. To see more, visit .

Tags
Health InsuranceHealth CareMedicaidAffordable Care ActLocalMedicaid Expansion
Associated Press
The Associated Press is one of the largest and most trusted sources of independent newsgathering, supplying a steady stream of news to its members, international subscribers and commercial customers. AP is neither privately owned nor government-funded; instead, it's a not-for-profit news cooperative owned by its American newspaper and broadcast members.
See stories by Associated Press
Associated Press
Trusted by over 30,000 local subscribers

Local News, Right Sized for Your Morning

Quick briefs when you are busy, deeper explainers when it matters, delivered early morning and curated by WGCU editors.

  • Environment
  • Local politics
  • Health
  • And more

Free and local. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

More from WGCU
  • Environment
    Gray Catbirds – “Skulkers” and Hunters in Dense Vegetation
    Dr. Jerry Jackson
    Gray Catbirds are in a bird family known as the “Mimidae” – because they mimic other birds, other animals, and even mechanical sounds. Other members of their family in Florida include the Brown Thrasher and the Northern Mockingbird – two excellent mimics that we often see and hear year-round as they feed, sing, and nest in relatively open vegetation. They often mimic the vocalizations of other bird species and it has been suggested that their mimicry may send the message that the area is crowded – and cause other birds to search for food elsewhere.
  • Free seasonal LeeTran Downtown Trolley is slated to resume runs.
    Transportation
    Free seasonal LeeTran downtown trolley and Fort Myers Beach trams to resume November 20
    WGCU Staff
    Residents and visitors once again may enjoy convenient, stress-free travel to some of Lee County’s most popular destinations as LeeTran resumes free seasonal trolley and tram services. Connectivity and timing improvements made to other LeeTran routes.
  • American bald eagle at Myakka State park, Sarasota
    Environment
    Florida state parks offer free admission for all on Veterans Day
    WGCU Staff
     As the nation prepares to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection invites Floridians to reflect on the people and places that shaped the nation’s story and the service members who have safeguarded it. On Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11, Florida State Parks will offer free admission for all visitors to recognize and thank those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.