Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Date
2-2011
Journal
New England Journal of Medicine
Volume
Volume 364, Issue 6
Inclusive Pages
493-495
Keywords
Health Services Accessibility; Insurance Coverage--trends; Medicaid--trends; Primary Health Care; Medicaid & SCHIP; Primary Care; Health Reform; Geiger Gibson/RHCN
Abstract
In the coming years, the United States must address both an expansion of Medicaid coverage and an unexpected shortage of primary care physicians. Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), the Medicaid eligibility threshold for nonelderly adults will rise to 133% of the federal poverty level (about $30,000 for a family of four) in 2014. States with restrictive Medicaid eligibility requirements and high rates of uninsured residents will expand coverage substantially, while programs in states with higher current Medicaid eligibility thresholds and fewer uninsured residents will grow less. However, since many of the states with the largest anticipated Medicaid expansions are also the ones that have less primary care capacity, they could face surging demand from the newly insured without having sufficient primary care resources available. These gaps could affect access to care not only for newly eligible Medicaid beneficiaries but also for others who depend on a state’s existing supply of clinicians.
APA Citation
Ku, L., Jones, K., Shin, P., Bruen, B., Hayes, K. (2011). The states' next challenge--Securing primary care for expanded Medicaid populations. New England Journal of Medicine, 364(6), 493-495.
Peer Reviewed
1
Open Access
1