Louisiana's uninsured rate falls to 12.5 percent; leaders cite Medicaid expansion

Louisiana is one of 10 states that have seen the steepest decreases in the rate of uninsured residents over the past four years, according to survey findings released Wednesday.

The 2016 Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index found that Louisiana's uninsured rate fell to 12.5 percent last year — down from 21.7 percent in 2013.

The survey's researchers note that all 10 states that saw their uninsured rates drop have expanded Medicaid through the federal Affordable Care Act.

Louisiana's Medicaid expansion took effect July 1, following an executive order that Gov. John Bel Edwards signed shortly after taking office in January 2016.

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