The Truth About Covering the Uninsured

This week’s New England Journal of Medicine includes a study of the impact of expanding Medicaid coverage to more poor, uninsured adults under the age of 65 years. Comparing states that expanded their Medicaid coverage with surrounding states that did not, the Harvard School of Public Health researchers–Benjamin D. Sommers, M.D., Ph.D., Katherine Baicker, Ph.D., and Arnold M. Epstein, M.D.–reported that expansion of Medicaid eligibility is associated with reduced mortality,  a 25% increase in Medicaid coverage, 15% lower rates of uninsurance, a 21% reduction in cost-related delays in care, and a 3% increase in self-reported excellent or very good health.”