Ensuring that Medicaid expansion under health reform effectively meets the needs of rural populations

The Foundation's program, State Health Access Reform Evaluation (SHARE), was designed to support research and evaluation of state health reform initiatives and develop an evidence base for future state and federal reform initiatives.The aim of this study is to inform federal and state implementation of the Medicaid expansions under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by estimating the size and characteristics of rural residents likely to be newly eligible. The study will provide nationally representative information that identifies the extent to which rural residents live in states that have already expanded coverage to low-income adults; how many eligible individuals have participated; the characteristics of the remaining pool of the rural uninsured; and the potential impact of Medicaid expansions on rural primary care and delivery system capacity. Deliverables will include a policy brief; a manuscript to be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal; presentations at professional research meetings (e.g., National Rural Health Association, AcademyHealth, and/or the American Public Health Association); and a webinar hosted jointly by the Rural Assistance Center Online and SHADAC/SHARE. In addition to Medicaid expansions planned as part of the ACA, the results of this study can inform other federally or state-initiated expansions in the future.

Grant Details

Amount Awarded $132,893.00

Awarded on: 6/27/2012

Time frame: 7/1/2012 - 6/30/2013

Grant Number: 70166