How many states have not expanded Medicaid?

Asked by: Miracle Abbott  |  Last update: October 14, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (50 votes)

To date, 41 states (including DC) have adopted the Medicaid expansion and 10 states have not adopted the expansion. Current status for each state is based on KFF tracking and analysis of state expansion activity. These data are also available in a table format. The map may be downloaded as a Powerpoint.

Which states have not passed Medicaid expansion?

The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, was enacted in 2010, but 10 states have not expanded Medicaid, the federal-state program that provides health care for low-income people. They are Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

What are the hardest states to get Medicaid?

The 10 most deficient state programs have overall scores ranging from between 317.8 and 379.1 of the total 1000 points. The worst, in order from 50th to 41st, are in Mississippi, Idaho, Texas, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Indiana, South Carolina, Colorado, Alabama, and Missouri.

Why has Florida not expanded Medicaid?

Concerns about the financial sustainability of such an expansion and the potential strain it could place on the state's budget were key factors in this decision. This choice set Florida apart from many other states that opted to expand their Medicaid programs to provide healthcare coverage to a broader population.

Why has Kansas not expanded Medicaid?

The state's top Republicans oppose the bill, most often giving the same general objections. They say Medicaid expansion will cost too much. They argue it will give coverage to too many “able-bodied adults.” And they worry that expanding Medicaid will take away private insurance coverage that some Kansans already have.

Implications of State Decisions to Expand or Not Expand Medicaid

44 related questions found

Which state has the best Medicaid program?

The top states—ranked from 1 to 10—are Massachusetts, Nebraska, Vermont, Alaska, Wisconsin, Rhode Island, Minnesota, New York, Washington, and New Hampshire.

Why do people not want to expand Medicaid?

Furthermore, some of its critics maintain that Medicaid's quality of care and financing are so bad that, as stated by Brian Blase at the Heritage Foundation, Medicaid expansion under the ACA will “likely hurt overall population health.”

Has Texas expanded Medicaid?

Texas is one of just 10 states that did not expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act—but what do we know about the impact?

Did Georgia expand Medicaid?

Georgia is one of 10 states that have not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), resulting in an uninsured rate of 12 percent, one of the highest in the country. In lieu of Medicaid expansion, the state launched the “Pathways” program, under a section 1115 waiver, in July 2023.

Why is it hard to get Medicaid in Florida?

Adults under 65 who aren't disabled or caring for minor children are not eligible for Medicaid regardless of how low their income is, because Florida hasn't expanded Medicaid under the ACA.

How many states do not accept Medicaid?

To date, 41 states (including DC) have adopted the Medicaid expansion and 10 states have not adopted the expansion. Current status for each state is based on KFF tracking and analysis of state expansion activity.

What is the best state for free healthcare?

The top five states for healthcare access are:
  • Hawaii.
  • Massachusetts.
  • Connecticut.
  • Rhode Island.
  • Vermont.

What is the best state to live in for low income?

Oklahoma consistently ranks as one of the states with the most affordable housing costs. The state also has a number of financial assistance programs through staples like SNAP and WIC, as well as local nonprofit Bethel Foundation for single mothers and young children.

Which state has the most Medicaid?

As of May 2021, over five million children were enrolled in Medicaid/CHIP programs in California, more than any other state. As of January 2021, the median Medicaid/CHIP eligibility level for children was 255 percent of the federal poverty level.

Who is not eligible for Medicaid?

Medicaid beneficiaries generally must be residents of the state in which they are receiving Medicaid. They must be either citizens of the United States or certain qualified non-citizens, such as lawful permanent residents. In addition, some eligibility groups are limited by age, or by pregnancy or parenting status.

What states offer free health insurance?

  • California. State offers public health coverage to all adults regardless of immigration status.
  • Colorado. State offers private health coverage with state subsidies to all adults regardless of immigration status.
  • Illinois. ...
  • Minnesota. ...
  • New york. ...
  • Oregon. ...
  • Washington. ...
  • District of columbia.

What states haven't expanded Medicaid?

Medicaid Income Eligibility Limits for Adults in States that Have Not Implemented the Medicaid Expansion
  • Wisconsin. 100% 100%
  • Tennessee. 82% 0%
  • South Carolina. 67% 0%
  • Wyoming. 47% 0%
  • Kansas. 38% 0%
  • Georgia. 31% 0%
  • Florida. 28% 0%
  • Mississippi. 28% 0%

What are the four types of Medicaid?

There are four types of Medicaid delivery systems:
  • State-operated fee-for-service (FFS)
  • Primary care case management (PCCM)
  • Comprehensive risk-based managed care (MCO model)
  • Limited-benefit plans.

What are the cons of expanding Medicaid?

Residents of states that accept the Medicaid expansion will still face challenges in accessing needed services due to important deficiencies in essential health benefits, financial strain resulting from cost-sharing provisions targeted at Medicaid beneficiaries, and decreased access to specialists relative to those ...

Has Florida expanded Medicaid?

Florida is one of 10 states that has not expanded Medicaid, a state and federally-funded insurance for low-income people under the Affordable Care Act.

Does North Carolina have expanded Medicaid?

North Carolina expanded health care coverage to more people.

On December 1, 2023, NC Medicaid expanded to cover people ages 19 through 64 up to 138% of the federal poverty line. That's about $1,730/month for singles and $2,970/month for families of three. NC Medicaid covers most health services.

Why did Kansas not expand Medicaid?

He says Medicaid expansion is too expensive and would give some people "no reason to work." Nearly 60% of those who'd be covered under Kelly's proposal do work at least 20 hours per week, according to an analysis by the Kansas Health Institute, which seeks to increase health options for Kansans.

Which state has the lowest uninsured rate?

  • US Value: 8.0%
  • Top State(s): Massachusetts: 2.4%
  • Bottom State(s): Texas: 16.6%
  • Definition: Percentage of population not covered by private or public health insurance.
  • Data Source and Years(s): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2022.

What is the main problem with Medicaid?

But it has been difficult to launch and sustain managed care under Medicaid: Program design has been complicated and time-consuming, and administrative costs are higher, at least in the initial stages (Freund et. al., 1989; Spitz and Abramson, 1987). The Federal waiver process has been cumbersome for many States.