South Carolina, New Mexico among highest in rates of uninsured

New numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau show while the rate of people who don’t have health insurance in South Carolina is improving, the state still has one of the highest rates of uninsured in the nation.

About 11 percent of South Carolinians don’t have health insurance. That ties the state with New Mexico for the 13th-highest rate of uninsured nationwide.

Still the South Carolina rate is down from almost 16 percent three years ago.

The Post and Courier reports part of the reason for the drop is the Affordable Care Act, which allows some people to get subsidies and tax credits for buying insurance.

Critics of the act, including U.S. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, say the act has meant fewer insurance options for consumers. Others counter that some consumers who now have insurance would never have had it without the Affordable Care Act.

Associated Press

This story was originally published September 19, 2016 at 11:57 AM with the headline "South Carolina, New Mexico among highest in rates of uninsured."