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2018-11-30
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Research Articles
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Expanding the conversation: Examining poverty rates of Medicaid expansion-eligible individuals using the supplemental poverty measure
Cody R. Tuttle
University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs
Abstract
The Affordable Care Act expansion of Medicaid eligibility in 2010 greatly expanded health insurance coverage for individuals living in poverty, but because some states have chosen not to expand, there remains a sizable population of eligible individuals without Medicaid. I examine poverty rates of expansioneligible individuals using two different measures of poverty across those who are and are not enrolled in Medicaid. Findings show that when measured using the Supplemental Poverty Measure, considered to be a more accurate indicator, those not enrolled in Medicaid are more likely to live in poverty than those enrolled in Medicaid. Furthermore, these results are due in part to higher outofpocket medical expenses for those not on Medicaid. I include a discussion of these findings, along with implications for policy.
