The Issue
Nearly 300,000 people would gain health coverage if Georgia expanded who is eligible for Medicaid, as allowed under the Affordable Care Act., with sweeping implications for closing health disparities and advancing health equity.
Key Findings
- If Georgia were to fully expand Medicaid under the ACA, uninsurance would fall by three percentage points--equivalent to 293,000 gaining coverage.
- Black individuals would see the most significant coverage gains under Medicaid expansion, with more than 120,000 Black individuals gaining coverage.
- American Indian and Alaskan Native individuals would see a decline of 38% in the number of uninsured individuals.
- White individuals would see a decline of 31.5% in the number of uninsured individuals.
Conclusion
Researchers conclude expanding Medicaid in Georgia would have a seismic effect in reducing health disparities and increasing access to care for some of the state's most vulnerable populations.