In 2013, what percentage of the U.S. population was uninsured?

In 2013, the percentage of the U.S. population that was uninsured was approximately 13%. This period marked a significant moment in U.S. healthcare, as it was just before the full implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which aimed to reduce the number of uninsured individuals. Prior to this legislation, many Americans lacked health insurance due to factors such as high costs, pre-existing conditions, and insufficient employer-provided options. The ACA introduced measures such as the expansion of Medicaid and the establishment of health insurance exchanges, which helped to lower the uninsured rate in subsequent years. Understanding the context of healthcare policies and their impact on insurance coverage is crucial for comprehending trends in community nutrition and public health initiatives.