State Health Care Spending on Medicaid

Medicaid is the largest health insurance program in the United States, covering both acute and long-term care services for over 66 million low-income Americans. Medicaid is currently undergoing its biggest change since its inception due to the implementation of the ACA. These changes will affect which individuals—and how many—may enroll in the program and how care is delivered. Policymakers in the 50 states and the District of Columbia, cautious about Medicaid’s claim on state revenue, need to know how the changes will affect state budgets and residents’ health. This report, the first in a series, focuses on the impact of Medicaid on the states, including trends in spending and enrollment, and the anticipated effects of the ACA.