Saved by Medicaid: New Evidence on Health Insurance and Mortality from the Universe of Low-Income Adults

[berg80]

We examine the causal effect of health insurance on mortality using the universe of low-income adults, a dataset of 37 million individuals identified by linking the 2010 Census to administrative tax data. Our methodology leverages state-level variation in the timing and adoption of Medicaid expansions under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and earlier waivers and adheres to a preregistered analysis plan, a rarely used approach in observational studies in economics. We find that expansions increased Medicaid enrollment by 12 percentage points and reduced the mortality of the low-income adult population by 2.5 percent, suggesting a 21 percent reduction in the mortality hazard of new enrollees. Mortality reductions accrued not only to older age cohorts, but also to younger adults, who accounted for nearly half of life-years saved due to their longer remaining lifespans and large share of the low-income adult population.

Saved by Medicaid: New Evidence on Health Insurance and Mortality from the Universe of Low-Income Adults

Founded in 1920, the NBER is a private, non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to conducting economic research and to disseminating research findings among academics, public policy makers, and business professionals.

www.nber.org

One can only hope that over time the lies told by Repubs regarding Medicaid cuts and "able bodied adults" will become fully understood by the voting public. This, despite the most cynical political maneuver I can recall.

At the core of Republicans’ newly finalized domestic policy package is an important political calculation. It provides its most generous tax breaks early on and reserves some of its most painful benefit cuts until after the 2026 midterm elections.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/02/us/politics/tax-cuts-benefit-cuts.html

 

[Woodznutz]

In other words, more Narcan can save more drug addicts. The problem is that opioid use is increasing along with Narcan use.

 

[Mack The Finger]

What happened to Obamacare....wasn't it going to cure all of America and send a refund check to ?

 

[SweetSue92]

We examine the causal effect of health insurance on mortality using the universe of low-income adults, a dataset of 37 million individuals identified by linking the 2010 Census to administrative tax data. Our methodology leverages state-level variation in the timing and adoption of Medicaid expansions under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and earlier waivers and adheres to a preregistered analysis plan, a rarely used approach in observational studies in economics. We find that expansions increased Medicaid enrollment by 12 percentage points and reduced the mortality of the low-income adult population by 2.5 percent, suggesting a 21 percent reduction in the mortality hazard of new enrollees. Mortality reductions accrued not only to older age cohorts, but also to younger adults, who accounted for nearly half of life-years saved due to their longer remaining lifespans and large share of the low-income adult population.

Saved by Medicaid: New Evidence on Health Insurance and Mortality from the Universe of Low-Income Adults

Founded in 1920, the NBER is a private, non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to conducting economic research and to disseminating research findings among academics, public policy makers, and business professionals.

www.nber.org

One can only hope that over time the lies told by Repubs regarding Medicaid cuts and "able bodied adults" will become fully understood by the voting public. This, despite the most cynical political maneuver I can recall.

At the core of Republicans’ newly finalized domestic policy package is an important political calculation. It provides its most generous tax breaks early on and reserves some of its most painful benefit cuts until after the 2026 midterm elections.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/02/us/politics/tax-cuts-benefit-cuts.html

Yes, no kidding: health care leads to better outcomes in MOST cases.

Are you in favor of able-bodied people being on Medicaid because they don't want to work?

 

[Independent thinker]

We examine the causal effect of health insurance on mortality using the universe of low-income adults, a dataset of 37 million individuals identified by linking the 2010 Census to administrative tax data. Our methodology leverages state-level variation in the timing and adoption of Medicaid expansions under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and earlier waivers and adheres to a preregistered analysis plan, a rarely used approach in observational studies in economics. We find that expansions increased Medicaid enrollment by 12 percentage points and reduced the mortality of the low-income adult population by 2.5 percent, suggesting a 21 percent reduction in the mortality hazard of new enrollees. Mortality reductions accrued not only to older age cohorts, but also to younger adults, who accounted for nearly half of life-years saved due to their longer remaining lifespans and large share of the low-income adult population.

Saved by Medicaid: New Evidence on Health Insurance and Mortality from the Universe of Low-Income Adults

Founded in 1920, the NBER is a private, non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to conducting economic research and to disseminating research findings among academics, public policy makers, and business professionals.

www.nber.org

One can only hope that over time the lies told by Repubs regarding Medicaid cuts and "able bodied adults" will become fully understood by the voting public. This, despite the most cynical political maneuver I can recall.

At the core of Republicans’ newly finalized domestic policy package is an important political calculation. It provides its most generous tax breaks early on and reserves some of its most painful benefit cuts until after the 2026 midterm elections.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/02/us/politics/tax-cuts-benefit-cuts.html

The choice is work or die. Apparently many dems think people will choose to die instead of work, volunteer, or go to school. In some cases they may be right. I really don't have any sympathy for able bodied people who choose not to work, volunteer, or go to school. As far as illegals go, they have the choice to self deport or die.

 

[Woodznutz]

Yes, no kidding: health care leads to better outcomes in MOST cases.

Are you in favor of able-bodied people being on Medicaid because they don't want to work?

Walmart employees are (or were) told to apply for Medicaid if they wanted health insurance.

 

[C_Clayton_Jones]

At the core of Republicans’ newly finalized domestic policy package is an important political calculation. It provides its most generous tax breaks early on and reserves some of its most painful benefit cuts until after the 2026 midterm elections.

Further proof that Republicans are dishonest scum – there’s no other way to look at it, to harm Americans after the midterms is cruel political calculus.

 

[Thinker101]

We examine the causal effect of health insurance on mortality using the universe of low-income adults, a dataset of 37 million individuals identified by linking the 2010 Census to administrative tax data. Our methodology leverages state-level variation in the timing and adoption of Medicaid expansions under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and earlier waivers and adheres to a preregistered analysis plan, a rarely used approach in observational studies in economics. We find that expansions increased Medicaid enrollment by 12 percentage points and reduced the mortality of the low-income adult population by 2.5 percent, suggesting a 21 percent reduction in the mortality hazard of new enrollees. Mortality reductions accrued not only to older age cohorts, but also to younger adults, who accounted for nearly half of life-years saved due to their longer remaining lifespans and large share of the low-income adult population.

Saved by Medicaid: New Evidence on Health Insurance and Mortality from the Universe of Low-Income Adults

Founded in 1920, the NBER is a private, non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to conducting economic research and to disseminating research findings among academics, public policy makers, and business professionals.

www.nber.org

One can only hope that over time the lies told by Repubs regarding Medicaid cuts and "able bodied adults" will become fully understood by the voting public. This, despite the most cynical political maneuver I can recall.

At the core of Republicans’ newly finalized domestic policy package is an important political calculation. It provides its most generous tax breaks early on and reserves some of its most painful benefit cuts until after the 2026 midterm elections.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/02/us/politics/tax-cuts-benefit-cuts.html

Oh nooooo, work, volunteer, or go to school. Does that mean we'll be seeing fewer of your BS posts?

 

[Woodznutz]

Further proof that Republicans are dishonest scum – there’s no other way to look at it, to harm Americans after the midterms is cruel political calculus.

It's political 'gamesmanship'.

 

[Oddball]

What happened to Obamacare....wasn't it going to cure all of America and send a refund check to ?

Still waiting on my $2,500 savings.

 

[Oddball]

Further proof that Republicans are dishonest scum – there’s no other way to look at it, to harm Americans after the midterms is cruel political calculus.

If you like your plan, you can keep your plan.

 

[22lcidw]

Further proof that Republicans are dishonest scum – there’s no other way to look at it, to harm Americans after the midterms is cruel political calculus.

We need to find ways to lower medical costs. And it must be enforced using common sense which is difficult as in all ways man can think of corruption can happen.

 

[EvilCat Breath]

Walmart employees are (or were) told to apply for Medicaid if they wanted health insurance.

Looks like Wakmart is a poor choice for career opportunities. It's perfectly suited for retirees, kids looking for that first job or even housewives interested in some part time.

 

[Seymour Flops]

Oh nooooo, work, volunteer, or go to school. Does that mean we'll be seeing fewer of your BS posts?

First, he will claim his time on here as "community service." If that doesn't work, he'll apply for part time at his nearest THC "clinic," or smoke shop.

 

[Woodznutz]

Looks like Wakmart is a poor choice for career opportunities. It's perfectly suited for retirees, kids looking for that first job or even housewives interested in some part time.

It's honest work, and a paycheck. Also, a good place to begin building work resume'.

 

[Seymour Flops]

Looks like Wakmart is a poor choice for career opportunities. It's perfectly suited for retirees, kids looking for that first job or even housewives interested in some part time.

Exactly. Nor is it obligated to be a carreer provider.

Its a poor choice for someone who wants an entry level job with low qualifications and automatic raises, job security, and promotions, regardless of effort.

Good choice for someone who wants to work hard and advance, either in Walmart management or by applying at another company with a completed education, and a strong wirk history.

 

[22lcidw]

Further proof that Republicans are dishonest scum – there’s no other way to look at it, to harm Americans after the midterms is cruel political calculus.

Like President Obama said. We all should have limits on medical care after the costs reach a certain level. And then it ends, and the pain pill used. All other care is from people who donate funds for charity. We are fighting empathy, sympathy and compassion with the logic of costs society can afford. Many Progressive Socialist Communists believe in this as their adherents do not realize it.

 

[Darkwind]

Walmart employees are (or were) told to apply for Medicaid if they wanted health insurance.

Which is a choice. You do understand that, right?

If they applied, they should have been denied. They can then choose to purchase Obamacare -- the most affordable healthcare in the world, according to the left -- or they can choose to seek employment with an employer that either pays more, or offers healthcare at a group rate.

It is beyond a silly argument that we need to allow as many people as possible on Medicaid because.... ?? Wage? Laziness? Entitlement?

My favorite is that it fosters dependency on the government, which the left likes to think they control.

So, it amounts to 'we're giving you this free shit, but we expect to remain in power while you contintue to be dependant upon us, for the rest of your life.

 

[berg80]

In other words, more Narcan can save more drug addicts. The problem is that opioid use is increasing along with Narcan use.

Bigoted and ignorant is no way to go through life.

 

[berg80]

What happened to Obamacare....wasn't it going to cure all of America and send a refund check to ?

No. You've been lied to again. Worse, you're too stupid to recognize it.