Medicaid, jointly funded by states and the federal government, provides health coverage to low-income individuals. As of June 2023, 39 states and the District of Columbia have expanded Medicaid to include adults with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level. States that expanded Medicaid have seen decreases in uninsured rates, improvements in access to care, and better health outcomes. However, 11 states have not expanded Medicaid, leaving an estimated 2.2 million people without health insurance. Advocates argue expanding Medicaid would improve the health of residents and boost the economy, while opponents argue it is too expensive and would increase federal deficits.
Current Medicaid Expansion Status by State
Medicaid is a federal and state health insurance program that covers millions of Americans, including low-income adults, children, pregnant women, and people with disabilities. In 2010, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) expanded Medicaid eligibility to all adults below 138% of the federal poverty level (FPL). However, states were given the option to expand or not. As of 2023, 39 states and the District of Columbia have expanded Medicaid.
The following is the current Medicaid expansion status by state:
States That Have Expanded Medicaid:
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
States That Have Not Expanded Medicaid:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Kansas
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
The table below provides a summary of the Medicaid expansion status by state:
| State | Medicaid Expansion Status |
|---|---|
| Alabama | No |
| Alaska | No |
| Arizona | No |
| Arkansas | No |
| California | Yes |
| Colorado | Yes |
| Connecticut | Yes |
| Delaware | Yes |
| District of Columbia | Yes |
| Florida | No |
| Georgia | No |
| Hawaii | Yes |
| Idaho | No |
| Illinois | Yes |
| Indiana | Yes |
| Iowa | Yes |
| Kansas | No |
| Kentucky | Yes |
| Louisiana | Yes |
| Maine | Yes |
| Maryland | Yes |
| Massachusetts | Yes |
| Michigan | Yes |
| Minnesota | Yes |
| Mississippi | No |
| Missouri | No |
| Montana | Yes |
| Nebraska | No |
| Nevada | Yes |
| New Hampshire | Yes |
| New Jersey | Yes |
| New Mexico | Yes |
| New York | Yes |
| North Carolina | Yes |
| North Dakota | No |
| Ohio | Yes |
| Oklahoma | No |
| Oregon | Yes |
| Pennsylvania | Yes |
| Rhode Island | Yes |
| South Carolina | No |
| South Dakota | No |
| Tennessee | No |
| Texas | No |
| Utah | No |
| Vermont | Yes |
| Virginia | Yes |
| Washington | Yes |
| West Virginia | Yes |
| Wisconsin | No |
| Wyoming | No |
Medicaid Expansion Across States
Medicaid expansion is a key provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that has provided health insurance coverage to millions of low-income Americans. As of 2023, 39 states and the District of Columbia have expanded Medicaid, while 11 states have not.
Medicaid Gap States
- Alabama
- Florida
- Georgia
- Mississippi
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
The Medicaid gap refers to the coverage gap created by the refusal of some states to expand Medicaid under the ACA. In these states, adults with incomes below 138% of the federal poverty level are ineligible for Medicaid. As a result, these individuals often fall into a coverage gap, where they are ineligible for Medicaid but also cannot afford private health insurance.
| State | Medicaid Expansion Status |
|---|---|
| Alabama | No |
| Alaska | Yes |
| Arizona | Yes |
| Arkansas | Yes |
| California | Yes |
| Colorado | Yes |
| Connecticut | Yes |
| Delaware | Yes |
| Florida | No |
| Georgia | No |
| Hawaii | Yes |
| Idaho | No |
| Illinois | Yes |
| Indiana | Yes |
| Iowa | Yes |
| Kansas | Yes |
| Kentucky | Yes |
| Louisiana | Yes |
| Maine | Yes |
| Maryland | Yes |
| Massachusetts | Yes |
| Michigan | Yes |
| Minnesota | Yes |
| Mississippi | No |
| Missouri | No |
| Montana | Yes |
| Nebraska | No |
| Nevada | Yes |
| New Hampshire | Yes |
| New Jersey | Yes |
| New Mexico | Yes |
| New York | Yes |
| North Carolina | No |
| North Dakota | Yes |
| Ohio | Yes |
| Oklahoma | Yes |
| Oregon | Yes |
| Pennsylvania | Yes |
| Rhode Island | Yes |
| South Carolina | No |
| South Dakota | No |
| Tennessee | No |
| Texas | No |
| Utah | No |
| Vermont | Yes |
| Virginia | Yes |
| Washington | Yes |
| West Virginia | Yes |
| Wisconsin | No |
| Wyoming | No |
The Medicaid gap has a significant impact on the health and well-being of low-income adults in these states. Studies have shown that Medicaid expansion is associated with improved access to care, better health outcomes, and lower rates of uncompensated care.
The Future of Medicaid Expansion
The future of Medicaid expansion is uncertain. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) made Medicaid expansion optional for states, and as of 2023, 38 states and the District of Columbia have expanded their Medicaid programs. This has led to an increase in access to health insurance for millions of low-income Americans.
However, the Trump administration has taken steps to undermine the ACA, including cutting funding for outreach and enrollment efforts and allowing states to impose work requirements on Medicaid recipients. These changes have made it more difficult for people to enroll in Medicaid and could lead to a decrease in the number of people who are covered by the program. Additionally, 12 states have not yet expanded Medicaid and the future of expansion in these states is uncertain.
The future of Medicaid expansion will likely depend on the outcome of the 2020 presidential election. If a Democrat wins the election, it is likely that the ACA will be expanded and more states will opt to expand Medicaid. If a Republican wins the election, it is possible that the ACA will be repealed or weakened, which could lead to a decrease in Medicaid expansion.
The following is a table of states that have expanded Medicaid, as well as those that have not:
| States that have expanded Medicaid | States that have not expanded Medicaid |
|---|---|
| California | Alabama |
| Colorado | Alaska |
| Connecticut | Arizona |
| Delaware | Arkansas |
| District of Columbia | Florida |
| Hawaii | Georgia |
| Illinois | Idaho |
| Indiana | Iowa |
| Kentucky | Kansas |
| Louisiana | Mississippi |
| Maine | Missouri |
| Maryland | Montana |
| Massachusetts | Nebraska |
| Michigan | Nevada |
| Minnesota | North Carolina |
| Nevada | North Dakota |
| New Hampshire | Ohio |
| New Jersey | Oklahoma |
| New Mexico | Pennsylvania |
| New York | South Carolina |
| Oregon | South Dakota |
| Pennsylvania | Tennessee |
| Rhode Island | Texas |
| Vermont | Utah |
| Virginia | West Virginia |
| Washington | Wisconsin |
| West Virginia | Wyoming |
Well, that’s it, folks! I hope this article has given you a clearer picture of the current state of Medicaid expansion across the United States. It’s been a wild ride, with twists and turns at every corner. But one thing is for sure: the fight for healthcare access is far from over. Thanks for joining me on this journey. If you have any more burning questions about Medicaid expansion or healthcare in general, don’t be a stranger. Drop by again soon – I’ll be here, waiting with open arms and a fresh batch of healthcare knowledge. Until then, stay healthy, stay informed, and keep fighting for the healthcare system we all deserve.