Patrick Willard, Families USA’s Health Action Director, responds to the good news that Governor Bill Walker will take executive action to expand Medicaid in Alaska. Now, all eyes are on Utah to extend health coverage to its moderate- and low-income residents.
This infographic shows the populations—uninsured adults, parents with dependent children, working but uninsured adults, and uninsured veterans and their spouses—that would benefit from extending Medicaid.
Republicans swept the governor’s races last November, dashing hopes that those who opposed Medicaid expansion would be replaced in 2015. Instead, Republican governors put their alternative proposals on statehouse agendas in the South and the West, pitting them against GOP lawmakers. Some legislative sessions will be wrapping up this month and those Medicaid expansion proposals are generating some political battles, as you’ll see below.
In Alaska, more than 35,000 low-income residents lack access to health insurance. If Alaska chooses to accept federal dollars to expand Medicaid, those who would qualify for health coverage are residents with incomes up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level ($27,720 for a family of three in 2015).
We’ve examined data from 22 states showing that working adults make up the majority of those who could benefit if states expanded Medicaid. View our new infographic and issue brief about the top occupations of the working but uninsured residents in Idaho.
With the 2014 elections behind them, governors and other lawmakers in the nation’s Western states are taking a hard look at expanding Medicaid. In the nation’s largest state, Alaska, the new governor may soon expand Medicaid to more than 40,000 low-income Alaskans. Independent Governor William Walker, a former Republican who upset incumbent Sean Parnell in the November election, took office on December 1. During his campaign, Walker promised to expand Medicaid.
Shows the number of people in each state who have cancer, diabetes, chronic lung disease, or heart disease and who rely on Medicaid, including breakdowns by racial and ethnic group.
Presents new national and state data showing how cutting Medicaid would harm seniors, people with disabilities, their families, state workers, and the long-term care infrastructure.
Discusses how stripping the maintenance of effort requirement from the Affordable Care Act will negatively affect Medicaid enrollees, their families, and their state economies.
Learn why expanding home- and community-based care is cost-effective in the long run and how states can do it using two new Medicaid options in the Affordable Care Act.
