The proportion of Americans without health insurance remained steady at approximately 8% throughout 2025, according to newly released data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The findings, based on a national survey, mark the first comprehensive look at uninsured rates during the first full year of President Donald Trump’s second term.

Despite the stability in the uninsured rate, experts warn that recent policy changes could lead to an increase in the number of uninsured individuals in the coming years. Last year, significant modifications to Medicaid—the federal program providing health coverage to low-income populations—were enacted, which the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects could result in as many as 10 million more uninsured people over the next decade.

Additionally, the expiration of certain subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), designed to help offset insurance premiums, has contributed to a decline in marketplace plan enrollment. The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) estimates that approximately 5 million fewer Americans will participate in these plans in 2026 compared to this year. These trends raise concerns about the potential erosion of coverage gains made in prior years.

David Howard, a health policy professor at Emory University, noted that while the U.S. Census Bureau is typically regarded as the primary source for insurance statistics, the CDC’s survey provides consistent results and offers timely insights for 2025. The data align with broader assessments of insurance coverage under the current administration.

The Trump administration has promoted expanded access to low-premium catastrophic insurance plans and initiatives aimed at reducing prescription drug costs for uninsured individuals. Officials also argue that decreases in enrollment figures partly reflect the removal of fraudulent or ineligible participants from insurance roles, suggesting that some declines may be driven by improved program integrity rather than solely by access issues.

While the overall uninsured rate held firm in 2025, the combination of policy changes and subsidy expirations underscores the challenges facing the U.S. health insurance system as it navigates ongoing shifts in legislation and market dynamics.