An increasing number of Hispanics are finding it harder to afford healthcare. The percentage of those without health insurance is up slightly over a year ago, but a majority still have a favorable view of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). For the first time more women are insured than men, according to a new survey by the Florida Atlantic University Business and Economics Polling Initiative. “The increased healthcare costs compared to last year is probably making it harder for Hispanics to afford health insurance,” says Monica Escaleras, director of the Initiative.
More than 43% of respondents in the April poll say it is harder to afford healthcare, up almost 6% from a similar survey in March 2015. Only 13.7% say it’s easier, down more than 9% from last year. The number of uninsured increased 5%, from 7.8% in March 2015 to 12.8% last month. However, Hispanics have still benefited since the enactment of the ACA, resulting in 4 million adults gaining coverage, according to the Department of Health & Human Services’ March 2016 report. Hispanic women are increasing their access to health insurance through the ACA with 52% saying they have government healthcare coverage compared to only 23.3% of men.
According to an analysis by McKinsey & Company, premiums for the lowest-cost ACA plans are expected to increase 10% to 13% in 2016. More than half of the government-sponsored nonprofit insurance co-ops have failed, leaving more than 750,000 families and individuals scrambling for new health insurance. Fifty-one percent of Hispanics gave Obamacare a favorable rating, compared to 35% unfavorable.