Spillover Benefits of Medicaid Expansion for Older Adults

Through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Medicaid expansion has yielded clear improvements in insurance coverage and access to care for low-income adults younger than 65, but has Medicaid expansion also had spillover benefits for adults 65 and older? In this interview with JAMA Health Forum Editor John Ayanian, MD, MPP, and Deputy Editor Melinda Buntin, PhD, Melissa McInerney, PhD, describes how older adults with low incomes and limitations related to chronic conditions were more likely to have Medicaid coverage and recent visits with physicians in states that have expanded Medicaid for younger adults than those in nonexpansion states. Related Content: Spillover Benefits of Medicaid Expansion for Older Adults With Low Incomes Medicaid Expansion and Health Care in Older Adults With Low Income and Chronic Condition Limitations