About the Gap

About the Gap

About the Gap

The Affordable Care Act gave every state the opportunity to expand Medicaid and provide health coverage to millions of those who were living without health insurance because they make “too much” to qualify for Medicaid, but too little to afford private insurance.

But as of today, lawmakers in 10 STATES are refusing to expand Medicaid and provide access to affordable health coverage to those who need it. This decision has left over 2 MILLION PEOPLE without access to affordable health coverage, and has created what we call the “Medicaid coverage gap.”

WHAT IS THE MEDICAID COVERAGE GAP?

WHAT IS THE MEDICAID COVERAGE GAP?

WHAT IS THE MEDICAID COVERAGE GAP?

OVER 2 MILLION PEOPLE LIVE
IN THE MEDICAID COVERAGE GAP

OVER 2 MILLION PEOPLE LIVE
IN THE MEDICAID COVERAGE GAP

OVER 2 MILLION PEOPLE LIVE
IN THE MEDICAID COVERAGE GAP

OVER 2 MILLION PEOPLE LIVE
IN THE MEDICAID COVERAGE GAP

OVER 2 MILLION PEOPLE
LIVE IN THE
MEDICAID COVERAGE GAP

OVER 2 MILLION PEOPLE LIVE
IN THE MEDICAID COVERAGE GAP

the unequal impact on black Americans

the unequal impact on black Americans

This unequal impact isn’t accidental. The Medicaid coverage gap is yet another example of structural racism and historic inequities in America and the consequences are deadly.

Barriers to accessing affordable health coverage have resulted in longstanding, harmful racial disparities for Black Americans - including higher rates and severity of chronic diseases like cancer, heart disease, and other medical conditions.

It doesn’t need to be this way.

States that have expanded Medicaid have seen reductions in disparities when it comes to health insurance rates, barriers to care, and overall health outcomes. The data is clear: expanding Medicaid is an important part of the solution to achieve health equity in the US.

This unequal impact isn’t accidental. The Medicaid coverage gap is yet another example of structural racism and historic inequities in America and the consequences are deadly.

Barriers to accessing affordable health coverage have resulted in longstanding, harmful racial disparities for Black Americans - including higher rates and severity of chronic diseases like cancer, heart disease, and other medical conditions.

It doesn’t need to be this way.

States that have expanded Medicaid have seen reductions in disparities when it comes to health insurance rates, barriers to care, and overall health outcomes. The data is clear: expanding Medicaid is an important part of the solution to achieve health equity in the US.

7 of 10

states that have not expanded Medicaid are in the South.

7 of 10

states that have not expanded Medicaid are in the South.

97%

97%

of those in the gap live in these Southern states.
of those in the gap live in these Southern states.

60%

60%

of those who live in the gap are people of color.
of those who live in the gap are people of color.

Copyright ⓒ 2024 | All Rights Reserved

The film was paid for by the America Cancer Society Action Network.

Copyright ⓒ 2024 | All Rights Reserved

The film was paid for by the America Cancer Society Action Network.

Copyright ⓒ 2024 | All Rights Reserved

The film was paid for by the America Cancer Society Action Network.

Copyright ⓒ 2024 | All Rights Reserved

The film was paid for by the America Cancer Society Action Network.

Copyright ⓒ 2024 | All Rights Reserved

The film was paid for by the America Cancer Society Action Network.