Katherine Baicker, professor of health economics at Harvard School of Public Health, was quoted in a November 20, 2013 NPR story on the recent spike in Medicaid enrollment as more people become eligible through the Affordable Care Act.
Baicker was a lead researcher on a study examining the health effects of Oregon’s 2008 lottery to give additional low-income, uninsured residents access to its Medicaid program.
“It seems clear that there are substantial benefits for low-income adults who enroll in Medicaid relative to being uninsured,” Baicker said. Those found by the Oregon study researchers included lower rates of depression, improved financial status, and better self-reported health.
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Hitting the lottery (Harvard Public Health)
Medicaid increases use of health care, decreases financial strain, and improves health for recipients (HSPH News)