The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently announced that since the initiation of the Affordable Care Act, approximately 1.3 million minorities have been able to receive health insurance.

The data was compiled in the National Health Interview Survey and the Current Population Survey, according to the report. Overall, close to 736,000 Latinos gained healthcare coverage, while approximately 410,000 African Americans, 97,000 Asian Americans and 29,000 American Indians and Alaska Natives received coverage. One of the biggest reasons for the jump was the ability for people under the age of 27 to receive care under their parents' plans.

"As a result of the Affordable Care Act, we are making strides in giving every American regardless of race or ethnicity a fair shot at quality, affordable health coverage," said Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of HHS. "Because of the law, more and more young adults can breathe a little easier knowing they have health coverage."

Those who are still uneasy about healthcare reform may benefit from locking in a rate now. There are many affordable health insurance rates available online, and it may be a good idea to compare health insurance quotes sooner rather than later.

A report from the Consumer Watchdog Campaign noted that insurance rates for consumers may be too high for many to afford, which shows a need to slow the increases in costs.

The report, which cited statistics from the Centers for Disease Control, found that approximately 16 percent of consumers with private health insurance plans had difficulty paying down bills, while another 6 percent were not able to pay their expenses at all. The campaign hopes to get a ballot initiative created by November to force insurance companies to justify rate increases. This is a practice that is common in many other states.

"When one in five Americans are in medical debt it's clear that we're not doing enough to make health insurance affordable," said Carmen Balber with the Consumer Watchdog Campaign. "Soon, federal law will require every American to have insurance, but nothing controls what health insurers can charge."

Consumers who are struggling to pay medical bills, or think that they won't be able to afford their current plan, may benefit from considering other affordable health insurance rates. There are many health insurance quotes available that may be form-fit to a person's needs.

A recent report from The Associated Press showed that consumers need to take precautions when searching for healthcare coverage to be sure they are on the right track.

It is important for consumers to know what is available to them, as not everyone uses the same healthcare plan, according to the report. Health insurance coverage varies significantly with many aspects of a person's life, such as age, gender and medical history.

In addition, it is important to not get any more coverage than is needed, the report said. Consumers don't want to get too little coverage, but it is important not to cover themselves unnecessarily. In addition, it's advised that they be sure that the plan covers the doctors and hospitals that a person prefers, as this can vary from plan to plan.

It also may be a good idea for consumers to be aware of the terms used in the health insurance industry, the report added. This will make searching for a plan much less confusing and stressful.

Selecting the right health insurance option can be difficult, but by comparing plans, a person may find that there are many health insurance quotes available that fit their needs.

A report from Consumer Watchdog Campaign showed that healthcare premiums are increasing for more than 300,000 California residents.

The rise took place on March 1, and will affect those under Blue Shield healthcare plans, according to the report. The company's increasing rates have prompted many consumers to sign a petition to prevent any healthcare provider from making a rate hike without first justifying the increase.

"This initiative gives voters the chance to rein in health insurance prices, and Blue Shield just gave 320,000 policyholders a reason to sign the ballot petition," said Carmen Balber, campaign manager for the non-profit Consumer Watchdog Campaign.

There are 35 states in the U.S. where this type of justification is law, the report added. However, California's regulators are unable to take these measures.

Consumers who are experiencing insurance rate hikes may want to look elsewhere for their healthcare plan. There are many affordable health insurance rates available online, and comparing health insurance quotes may help a person find what they want for a good price.

Debt is an issue that many Americans are dealing with, especially during a recession. However, according to Kiplinger, there are ways to overcome it, if a consumer is proactive.

Medical debt is one of the main causes of bankruptcy, but it doesn't always have to end up poorly, the news source noted. When receiving a medical bill, consumers should call their insurer before they pay it. Ensure that with everything involved with the insurance plan, all discounts are accounted for.

If the bill is still far too much, the news source said it could be a good plan to try to negotiate. Being able to pay for a portion of it may help, and consumers could benefit in the long-run from this. However, it is important to keep up on payments. If the bill goes to collections, it can be much harder to negotiate.

Those Americans who are struggling with medical bills may not have the best health insurance plan they could get. Looking at other health insurance quotes may aid in finding a plan that has better coverage and can save the consumer money.