A six-month survey revealed sharp reductions in uninsured rates since the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also referred to as Obamacare.

With approximately 88,600 adults over the age of 18 participating in the national survey, Arkansas and Kentucky reportedly saw the largest uninsured rate drop during the first half of 2015. Based on the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, 9.1 percent of Arkansans and 9 percent of Kentuckians are uninsured, although those rates follow double-digit declines compared to 2013 data: 13.4 percent and 11. 4 percent declines, respectively. Arkansas and Kentucky are among states with Medicaid expansion.

California saw the sixth-largest uninsured rate drop, after Oregon, Rhode Island and Washington State. Home to more than 14 million Latinos, or 38.4 percent of the state's population, the Golden State's uninsured rate fell by 9.8 percent. According to 2013 data, the Californian uninsured rate was 21.6 percent, but in late June 2015, the statistic stands at 11.8 percent. California also has an expanded Medicaid program and state-based health insurance marketplace exchange.

Other heavily Latino-populated states such as Arizona, Florida, New York and Texas saw uninsured rate drops. Taking into account overall ethnicities, between 2013 and mid-2015, Florida's uninsured rate dropped 6.9 percent, slightly ahead of Texas' 6.2 percent. Arizona followed with a 5.9 percent uninsured rate drop. New York's uninsured rate, by late June 2015, had dropped 4.3 percent.

Other states saw bigger declines, while minor increases were reported. In Wyoming the uninsured rate increased from 16.6 percent during 2013 to 18.2 percent by June 30, 2015. Seven states have uninsured rates at or below 5 percentage points: Connecticut, Hawaii, Iowa, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Rhode Island and Vermont.

Nationally, the uninsured rate dropped from 2013's 17.3 percent to 11.7 percent by late June 2015.

The Gallup poll did not note specifically regarding the Latino uninsured rate, but the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) stated more than 4.2 million Latinos have gained medical coverage since the ACA's first provisions were implemented in 2010. From 2010 to the first quarter of 2015, the national Latino uninsured rate dropped by 12.3 percentage points, which is a larger percentage rate decline than both African-Americans and whites. Despite the gains, Latinos are still the largest uninsured group.

U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) are reviewing double-digit premium increase requests for the 2016 open enrollment period. According to insurers, increasing drug costs and new data on consumers' health statuses have led to the request. The proposed premium increases, which are not final and could be adjusted, are for both local and federal marketplace exchanges.

Andy Slavitt, acting administrator for the CMS, said, "These specific rates will be subject to vigorous rate review and revision and the final rates consumers will see this Fall will reflect the breadth of choice and competition in the Marketplace."

Must Read: Health Insurance Issues Persist Among Latinos Despite Improved Uninsured Rate 

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For the latest updates, follow Latin Post's Politics Editor Michael Oleaga on Twitter: @EditorMikeO or contact via email: m.oleaga@latinpost.com.