Medicaid’s Impact on Health Care Access, Outcomes and State Economies

This brief reviews the growing body of research on Medicaid’s health and economic impacts, including increased access to care; improved self-reported health status; higher rates of preventive health screenings; lower likelihood of delaying care because of costs; decreased hospital and emergency department utilization; and decreased infant, child, and adult mortality rates.

This brief is one in a series of seven on key Medicaid issues for state policymakers. The series is designed to assist new state leaders in understanding the Medicaid program and their role in using it to improve the health of their states’ residents and communities.

#1: Priority Medicaid Issues for New State Officials

#2: Medicaid: The Basics

#3: Medicaid’s Impact on Health Care Access, Outcomes and State Economies

#4: Medicaid’s Role in Children’s Health

#5: Medicaid’s Role in Addressing Social Determinants of Health

#6: Medicaid’s Role in Fighting the Opioid Epidemic

#7: Medicaid Managed Care: Increasing Expectations and Accountability