The Impact of Current State Medicaid Expansion Decisions on Coverage by Race and Ethnicity

One of the major vehicles in the ACA to increase health insurance coverage is an expansion of Medicaid to adults with incomes at or below 138% of the federal poverty level (FPL). While the expansion was intended to be implemented in all states, as a result of the Supreme Court decision on the ACA, it is now effectively a state choice. As of July 1, 2013, 24 states are moving forward with the expansion, 21 states are not planning to move forward, and there is ongoing debate in 6 states. Based on an analysis of 2011 American Community Survey data, this brief examines the implications of current state Medicaid expansion decisions on coverage by race and ethnicity.