More than 2.6 million Americans are unable to access health insurance because they fall into the coverage gap - they make too much income to qualify for Medicaid, but too little to be eligible for tax credits that make private health insurance affordable.
19 primarily rural states have not closed the coverage gap by expanding Medicaid. States that have expanded Medicaid have seen a 16 percent decline in uncompensated care, which is care provided out of necessity that patients are unable to pay for. The high costs of uncompensated care is shifted to insured patients and contributes to higher insurance premiums.
States that have expanded Medicaid now have 8 to 10 percent lower insurance premiums than states that have not expanded Medicaid. Affordable access to preventative care services is proven to decrease overall medical expenses and improve quality of heath outcomes for everyone.
It is time for the 19 states to take action on this important issue that directly impacts the lives of 2.6 Americans.
