The role of Medicaid and impact of the Medicaid expansion for veterans experiencing homelessness
- Collection:
- Health Policy and Services Research
- Series Title(s):
- Issue brief (Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation)
- Author(s):
- Artiga, Samantha, author DiPietro, Barbara, author Ubri, Petry, author
- Contributor(s):
- Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, issuing body.
- Publication:
- Menlo Park, CA : Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, October 2017
- Language(s):
- English
- Format:
- Text
- Subject(s):
- Homeless Persons -- statistics & numerical data Insurance Coverage -- statistics & numerical data Medicaid -- statistics & numerical data Veterans -- statistics & numerical data Health Services Accessibility -- statistics & numerical data Humans United States United States.
- Genre(s):
- Technical Report
- Abstract:
- Veterans remain at higher risk of experiencing homelessness than the rest of the population. Although some veterans have access to health care through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Medicaid plays an important role for this population, particularly those experiencing homelessness. This brief describes Medicaid's role for veterans experiencing homelessness and provides insight into how the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Medicaid expansion has affected their coverage and access to care. It shows: (1) Veterans are more likely to experience homelessness than the overall population, and those experiencing homelessness have significant health needs. Veterans make up about 9% of the adult population but constitute nearly 12% of persons experiencing homelessness. Veterans who are poor; have a disability, chronic health condition, or mental health issue; lack support networks; and/or have a history of substance use are at particularly high risk of experiencing homelessness. (2) The ACA Medicaid expansion has led to increased coverage and access to care for veterans, including those experiencing homelessness. Medicaid plays an important role covering veterans who would otherwise be uninsured and supplements Medicare, private, VA or military coverage for others. Medicaid is particularly important for veterans experiencing homelessness who have high rates of chronic health conditions, disabilities, mental health issues, and alcohol or substance use disorders. Research shows that there have been gains in coverage among veterans overall since implementation of the Medicaid expansion. Moreover, data from Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) projects, which are clinics that serve individuals experiencing homelessness, show positive impacts of the Medicaid expansion for veterans experiencing homelessness. Specifically, data reported by nine HCH projects show higher rates of Medicaid coverage among veteran patients at HCH projects in expansion states than in non-expansion states. Further, four HCH projects able to report data for 2013 and 2016 show significant increases in the share of veteran patients covered by Medicaid over the period. Personal stories from veterans experiencing homelessness who gained coverage under the expansion and are connected to HCH projects also illustrate how Medicaid improved their access to care and health, providing greater stability in their overall lives. (3) Restructuring of Medicaid at the federal level or through waivers sought by states would have significant implications for veterans experiencing homelessness. Reductions in Medicaid, particularly loss of the Medicaid expansion, would likely result in many of these individuals becoming uninsured and going without needed care, which would lead to greater instability in their lives. Moreover, increases in out of pocket costs and/or work requirements could pose significant challenges for these individuals given their complex health needs and limited resources.
- Copyright:
- Reproduced with permission of the copyright holder. Further use of the material is subject to CC BY license. (More information)
- Extent:
- 1 online resource (1 PDF file (7 pages))
- Illustrations:
- Illustrations
- NLM Unique ID:
- 101717184 (See catalog record)
- Permanent Link:
- http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/101717184