medicaid expansion lowers death rates

A study conducted by Harvard researchers found that when states increased enrollment in Medicaid, fewer people died, reported the nytimes July 25. The study examined the mortality rates in three states five years before and after they expanded coverage to people not usually covered under Medicaid -- adults living in poverty but who are not pregnant or primary caregivers. While neighboring states that did not broaden eligibility saw death rates rise, the three states -- New York, Maine and Arizona -- expanding coverage saw mortality rates fall. 

While the Affordable Care Act will fund 100 percent of the cost of Medicaid expansion for all states in the short term and 90 percent in the long term, the Supreme Court ruled that expansion cannot be mandatory. Some governors are now saying they will keep Medicaid as is in their states.

Currently, almost 70 percent of Medicaid recipients are women, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation