During the COVID-19 pandemic, Medicaid has been a critical health resource for millions of Americans. The program has provided coverage for necessary care without the financial strains that come from high medical bills. Unfortunately, people living in the 12 states that have opted not to expand eligibility for Medicaid may not have an affordable coverage option just when they most need it.
But that’s not all. As a new Commonwealth Fund video shows, more and more hospitals in nonexpansion states are being forced to close for lack of funding, with rural communities being hit the hardest. In rural parts of Kansas, five hospitals have closed since 2011. Medicaid expansion might have helped those hospitals stay afloat.
Congress is now considering adding incentives to make expansion more appealing to states, allowing more people to get covered and more local hospitals to continue serving their communities. | 
