Spike in Medicaid enrollment could have health benefits for low-income adults

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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Expanding Medicaid lowers rates of depression, reduces financial strain, but no improvement shown in physical health (HSPH News)

Hitting the lottery (Harvard Public Health)

Medicaid increases use of health care, decreases financial strain, and improves health for recipients (HSPH News)