What exactly is Medicaid expansion? It’s not an expansion of benefits, per se, but rather an expansion of the income requirements necessary for an American to qualify for the public health insurance program. The expansion of Medicaid, which is low-cost or completely free, was included in the Affordable Care Act and initially required all states to expand their income requirements. But the 2012 Supreme Court ruling now allows states to choose to opt in to Medicaid expansion.
As of November 2020, 39 states and the District of Columbia have expanded Medicaid. The result? An additional 17 million people were insured, including 700,000 children, drastically lowering the rates of uninsured Americans. This goes a long way to contribute to a Culture of Health, where everyone has the opportunity to live a healthier life. It may also explain why the number of Americans who report being in “excellent health” has jumped in recent years — something all Americans can feel good about.
