Poll finds more Americans now have health insurance

A Gallup poll found only 13.4 percent of Americans didn’t have health insurance in April, a 5 point drop from 2013’s peak. However, Reuters reported other research has also surfaced that examined the uninsured rate, but there are potential issues with the findings.

Gallup received responses from more than 14,700 Americans regarding their health insurance, and noted late enrollees in the federal and state health insurance marketplaces helped to boost the rate of insured. The age group with the most sign ups after the March 31 deadline was 26 to 34 year olds, with 24.5 percent of total enrollees using the extra time to apply for insurance benefits. Only 19 percent of those between the ages of 18 and 25 who signed up for benefits did so in April, as did 13.2 percent of 35 to 64 year olds who enrolled through the exchanges. 

However, Reuters reported, the data may end up becoming skewed if many people don’t pay their first premiums. While many insurance companies are coming forward with saying most enrollees are sending in their first payments, Reuters suggested these numbers may have flaws.