Florida’s Uninsured Crisis: State Ranks 4th in Nation for Uninsured Residents Under 65
Fort Lauderdale, Florida – Florida is facing a significant health insurance crisis, ranking fourth in the nation for the percentage of people under 65 without health insurance. According to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau, 13.9% of Floridians under 65 are uninsured. This translates to approximately 2.3 million residents lacking health coverage, starkly contrasting the national uninsured rate of 9.5%.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) 2022 estimates, 12.4% of Floridians under 65 lack health insurance, ranking the state 4th in the nation behind Texas, Oklahoma, and Georgia. This translates to approximately 2.5 million residents being forced to navigate the complex and often expensive healthcare system without the safety net of insurance.
Historical Context and Current Statistics
Historically, Florida has struggled with high uninsured rates. In 2006, nearly a quarter (24.9%) of Floridians were without health insurance. While the state has made significant strides in reducing this number, the current rate remains alarmingly high. Glades County leads the state with nearly a quarter of its population uninsured, followed by Manatee, Polk, and Hernando counties in the Tampa Bay area.