Alabama is one of 10 states yet to expand Medicaid to cover adults with low incomes. The uninsured rate for adults in non-expansion states last year (16.2%) was nearly twice as high as in states that have expanded Medicaid (9%), according to new Current Population Survey (CPS) data that the U.S. Census Bureau released Tuesday.
“Health coverage saves lives. But Alabama’s refusal to expand Medicaid continues to leave up to 155,000 people with low incomes caught in a coverage gap, with no access to the affordable healthcare they need,” Alabama Arise’s Cover Alabama campaign director Debbie Smith said in a statement in response on Wednesday. |
Read our full statement on the new Census data here.
“These are Alabamians who work hard at essential jobs like construction, food service and retail but can’t afford private insurance,” Smith said. “They are Alabamians who care for family members with severe illnesses or disabilities. They are our friends and neighbors, and they deserve better from our elected officials.
“Congress’ failure to renew enhanced Premium Tax Credits for Marketplace coverage under the Affordable Care Act has made our state’s existing healthcare disparities even worse. More than 95,000 Alabamians have lost their ACA coverage this year as a result of this congressional inaction. That is the equivalent of a packed SEC football stadium full of people who have been priced out of coverage.” Read Arise’s full statement for more information. |
