INSURANCE MATTERS FOR LOW-INCOME ADULTS - RESULTS FROM A 5-STATE SURVEY

Using survey data from 2,000 low-income adult respondents in each of f ive states, this DataWatch assesses how uninsured, low-income adults d iffer from low-income adults who have public or private insurance and how Medicaid expansions have affected insurance coverage patterns acro ss states with different eligibility policies. Findings show that the proportion of low-income uninsured adults is two to three times higher in states that have not expanded Medicaid eligibility beyond relative ly low welfare levels. Compared with persons who have either Medicaid or private insurance, uninsured persons report more difficulties getti ng needed care, are less likely to have a regular provider, and rate t he care they do receive as lower quality.