Summary
Published Date: September 24, 2024
A recent analysis of health insurance effects in the U.S. reveals that while average health improvements are inconsistent, certain subgroups experience significant benefits. Although the Affordable Care Act reduced the uninsured rate from 46.5 million in 2010 to 25.6 million in 2022, many still face access challenges. The Oregon Health Insurance Experiment showed that while Medicaid improved access and reduced financial risk, its impact on physical health was mixed.
A better understanding of the range of effects of policy changes can help tailor health care interventions to meet diverse patient needs and can allow policymakers to design programs that make the most of limited resources.