Uninsured rate drops 10%

The amount of people without health insurance decreased by 9.7 percent from 2010 to 2011, according to U.S. census data released Tuesday.

Despite high unemployment and increasing poverty rates, there has been a significant decrease in those without insurance, according to an analysis by Connecticut Voices for Children. The policy think tank credits state and national health care reforms.

“These trends demonstrate the success of Connecticut”™s efforts to improve access to health coverage for Connecticut children and families, even as our economy is struggling to recover,” said Ellen Shemitz, CT Voices executive director, in a release. “In 2014, additional state and federal health reforms will enable thousands more Connecticut residents to gain affordable health insurance coverage.”

Since 2010 roughly 100,000 people have gained access to health insurance, according to the census. At least another 100,000 people are expected to gain access through the state’s new Access Health CT insurance exchange in 2014. The marketplace is due to launch in October.