Maine's uninsured rate had the sharpest decline in the nation, according to a Sept. 19 news release from the governor's office.
According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Maine's uninsured rate dropped from 8 percent in 2019 to 5.7 percent in 2021, representing the largest percentage decline in the nation. The percentage point change in the uninsured rate translates to a 27 percent decline in the estimated number of uninsured, according to the governor's office.
Gov. Janet Mills said that having health insurance saves lives.
"Maine outperformed every other state in improving health coverage. Now more Maine people can see a doctor, afford medications, and receive preventive care, keeping families and our economy both healthy," said Ms. Mills.
The decline in uninsured correlates to the slight increase in private insurance coverage and a significant increase in Medicaid coverage across the state. Additionally, uncompensated care for Maine hospitals fell by $84.1 million between 2018 and 2020, according to information from the Maine Health Data Organization.