Supreme Court ruling aside, millions in U.S. to go without insurance

One of the biggest misconceptions about President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul isn’t who the law will cover, but rather who it won’t. If it survives Supreme Court scrutiny, the landmark overhaul will expand coverage to about 30 million uninsured people, according to government figures. But an estimated 26 million Americans will remain without coverage—a population that’s roughly the size of Texas and includes illegal immigrants and those who can’t afford to pay out-of-pocket for health insurance. To be sure, it’s estimated that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act would greatly increase the number of insured Americans. The law has a provision that requires most Americans to be insured or face a tax penalty. It also calls for an expansion of Medicaid, a government-funded program that covers the health care costs of low-income and disabled Americans. Additionally, starting in 2014, there will be tax credits to help middle-class Americans buy coverage. The Supreme Court is expected to hand down a decision this month on whether to uphold the law completely or strike down parts or all of it. If it survives, about 93% of all nonelderly, legal U.S. residents will be covered by 2016. That’s up from 82% this year. Read the full story from The Associated Press here for more on those residing in the United States who will likely remain uninsured if the Affordable Care Act survives.