Policy Research

Mortality and Access to Care among Adults after State Medicaid Expansions

Benjamin D. Sommers, Katherine Baicker, Arnold Epstein

Summary

The study looks at correlations between health outcomes are improved when Medicaid eligibility is expanded. Seven states are looked at: three that dramatically expanded Medicaid, and four that did not. The period of observation extends for ten years. The findings concluded that the expansion of Medicaid eligibility resulted in a significant decrease in mortality and a significant increase in the insured rate.

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Policy Implications

This study implies significant implications of Medicaid expansion exist for States. It suggests that choosing to expand Medicaid will decrease State mortality rates while increasing the proportion of the population with insurance. Such results are important in weighing the costs and benefits of adopting the expansion.