IMPACT OF MEDICAID EXPANSION ON INSURANCE COVERAGE AND COST BARRIERS TO CARE: A DIFFERENCE-IN-DIFFERENCES ANALYSIS USING BRFSS DATA
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Background
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) expanded Medicaid eligibility to improve healthcare access. This study evaluates whether Medicaid expansion led to increased insurance coverage and reduced cost-related barriers to healthcare.
Methods
We used Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data from 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, and 2018. A Difference-in-Differences (DiD) approach was applied, comparing adults in expansion versus non-expansion states before and after 2014. Logistic regression was employed to calculate odds ratios (OR) along with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI).
Results
Medicaid expansion was associated with 25% greater odds of insurance coverage (OR = 1.25; 95% CI: 1.22, 1.28) and 10% lower odds of cost-related barriers to care (OR = 0.90; 95% CI: 0.89 to 0.91, indicating a statistically significant association (p < 0.001).
Conclusion
Medicaid expansion under the ACA significantly improved healthcare access by increasing insurance coverage and reducing cost-related barriers.
