Washington, D.C. — Today, the Center for American Progress released a new analysis looking at how closing the Medicaid coverage gap would save lives, lower the number of evictions, and improve families’ financial security. The analysis comes in advance of the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee preparing to mark up its section of the Build Back Better Act, which makes important investments in the American people’s health, including by permanently and comprehensively closing the coverage gap.
The study finds that if all 2.2 million uninsured adults who fall in the coverage gap gained coverage, 7,000 fewer adults would die each year. According to the analysis, permanently and comprehensively closing the coverage gap would also result in roughly 49,000 fewer evictions every year and reduce the amount of medical debt held in collections in these states by $2 billion.
“This analysis serves as a critical reminder for Congress that guaranteeing affordable health care coverage for the low-income uninsured should be a top priority as it debates the Build Back Better Act. As the numbers show, lives, housing security, and the financial well-being of American families are on the line,” said Emily Gee, senior economist for Health Policy at CAP.
Read the column: “Closing the Medicaid Coverage Gap Would Save 7,000 Lives Each Year” by Emily Gee and Nicole Rapfogel
For more information or to speak with an expert, please contact Colin Seeberger at [email protected] or 202.741.6292.