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Second Annual “Medicaid Voter” Report Finds Growth During Pandemic
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 14, 2021
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Jeff Van Ness, (202) 204-7515, jvanness@communityplans.net
SECOND ANNUAL “MEDICAID VOTER” REPORT FINDS GROWTH DURING PANDEMIC
WASHINGTON— Medicaid expansion remains a winning issue at the ballot box, even if it remains stymied in state legislative chambers, according to a white paper released today by the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP).
“2020 was the latest election cycle where Medicaid played a decisive role at the polls,” said ACAP CEO Margaret A. Murray. “But some elected officials refuse to honor the will of the voters. In Missouri, a successful Medicaid expansion referendum has been nullified by the state legislature, while courts in Mississippi refuse to even bring the matter to the people for a vote.”
The second-annual edition of “The Medicaid Voter” white paper quantifies the impact of Medicaid by state and by Congressional District, highlights past bipartisan support for the program, and details the recent history of Medicaid’s political salience in state elections.
Among key findings in this year’s white paper:
- Medicaid enrollee populations increased 9.4 percent year-over-year, from November 2019 to November 2020. Medicaid populations increased in 48 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. Medicaid populations decreased in Texas and Maine.
- Of the 10 Congressional Districts with the largest total Medicaid enrollment population, 6 are represented by Republicans and four by Democrats.
- Of the 10 Congressional Districts with the largest total CHIP enrollment, 4 are represented by Republicans and 6 are represented by Democrats.
- Of the 10 Congressional Districts with the largest Medicaid expansion population, 6 are represented by Republicans and four by Democrats.
- In the 2020 Presidential election, the Medicaid expansion population exceeded the margin of victory in seven states totaling 65 electoral votes – Alaska, Arizona, Maine, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico and Pennsylvania.
Using data from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the United States Census Bureau, the study estimates the number of persons by state and Congressional district enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP, as well as the estimated number of Americans in each state and Congressional District who have benefited from Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act.
Read the study at www.communityplans.net.
About ACAP:
ACAP represents 78 health plans, which collectively provide health coverage to more than 20 million people. Safety Net Health Plans serve their members through Medicaid, Medicare, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), the Marketplace and other publicly-sponsored health programs. For more information, visit www.communityplans.net
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