Which states never expanded Medicaid?

Asked by: Lisandro Tromp  |  Last update: September 14, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (12 votes)

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.

Which states have not expanded Medicaid?

Ten states—Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming—have not expanded Medicaid eligibility under the Affordable Care Act to individuals with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level.

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.

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 did Kansas not expand 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.

Medicaid, explained: why it's worse to be sick in some states than others

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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.”

What state has the highest Medicaid limit?

The state with the highest Medicaid income limit is Alaska, where households of eight people must have a maximum income of less than $77,526. Alaska Medicaid income limits also include the highest limit for households of one person, $22,597. Read on to find out all the Medicaid income limits by state.

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.

What does Medicaid not cover?

Though Medicaid covers a wide range of services, there are limitations on certain types of care, such as infertility treatments, elective abortions, and some types of alternative medicine. For example, the federal government lists family planning as a mandatory service benefit, but states interpret this differently.

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?

What is the income limit for Medicaid in 2024?

Definitions. Parents of Dependent Children: Income limits for 2024 are reported as a percentage of the federal poverty level (FPL). The 2024 FPL for a family of three is $25,820. Other Adults: Eligibility limits for other adults are presented as a percentage of the 2024 FPL for an individual is $15,060.

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.

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 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 state is #1 in healthcare?

Hawaii, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Iowa, and Connecticut are the top-ranked states according to the 2020 Scorecard, which assesses all 50 states and the District of Columbia on more than 45 measures of access to health care, quality of care, service use and costs of care, health outcomes, and income-based health care ...

What state is #1 in quality of life?

Overall, the study ranked Massachusetts as the best place to live in the U.S. thanks in part to the state's education and health, (where it ranked first in the country), and their quality of life, (where it ranked sixth). Other states that rounded out the top five were Florida, New Jersey, Utah and New Hampshire.

Where is the cheapest healthcare in the US?

  • Hawaii. #1 in Health Care Affordability. ...
  • Vermont. #2 in Health Care Affordability. ...
  • Massachusetts. #3 in Health Care Affordability. ...
  • Iowa. #4 in Health Care Affordability. ...
  • South Dakota. #5 in Health Care Affordability. ...
  • Rhode Island. #6 in Health Care Affordability. ...
  • Minnesota. #6 in Health Care Affordability. ...
  • Maine.

What states don't expand Medicaid?

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 disqualifies you from Medicaid?

In general, a single person must have no more than $2,000 in cash assets to qualify. If you're over 65, the requirements are more complex. Whatever your age, there are strict rules about asset transfers. Medicaid may take into consideration any gifts or transfers of cash you've made recently.

Which state has the best Medicaid benefits?

25 States With the Best Medicaid Benefits
  1. Massachusetts. In Massachusetts, you have the advantage of an extensive health insurance program called MassHealth. ...
  2. New York. ...
  3. Vermont. ...
  4. Rhode Island. ...
  5. 5. California. ...
  6. Connecticut. ...
  7. Pennsylvania. ...
  8. Washington.

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.

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.

Is there a downside to getting Medicaid?

Disadvantages of Medicaid

They will have a decreased financial ability to opt for elective treatments, and they may not be able to pay for top brand drugs or other medical aids. Another financial concern is that medical practices cannot charge a fee when Medicaid patients miss appointments.