The number of New Jersey residents without health insurance has increased, according to new data from the 2024 American Community Survey. The survey shows that uninsured rates in the state rose from 7.2% to 7.7% over the past year.
Brittany Holom-Trundy, Research Director at New Jersey Policy Perspective (NJPP), commented on the findings: “Health insurance coverage gaps widened significantly in 2024, with uninsured rates rising from 7.2% to 7.7% according to today’s 2024 American Community Survey health insurance data. This confirms our concerns: As the pandemic’s lessons about access to affordable coverage have been left behind, barriers to health insurance have grown worse, especially for those with the lowest incomes.
“Most alarming, the end of Medicaid protections especially harmed families living in poverty, leaving them without coverage or access to care. Low-income households saw their uninsured rates jump from 13.8% to 17.7%.
“While New Jersey has taken important steps to improve access, such as the Cover All Kids program, these efforts have not addressed all gaps in the system. Combined with the coming federal Medicaid cuts, this data shows that the state urgently needs to expand coverage programs and ensure that all residents (regardless of age, race, gender, immigration status, disability, or employment status) have access to affordable coverage.”
The increase in uninsured rates comes after several pandemic-era policies designed to protect and expand health coverage expired. These changes made it more difficult for some residents—especially those with lower incomes—to maintain or obtain insurance.
Programs like Cover All Kids were introduced by New Jersey lawmakers as an attempt to reduce barriers for children seeking health coverage; however, advocates argue that these measures are not enough for everyone who needs assistance.
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