New Study Confirms Medicaid Expansion Saves Lives in Low-Income Populations

A comprehensive new study from the University of Chicago provides compelling evidence that expanding access to Medicaid significantly reduces mortality among low-income adults. The research illustrates that Medicaid expansions implemented as part of the 2010 Affordable Care Act—also known as Obamacare—and other state waivers led to a 2.5% decrease in death rates within this vulnerable group. This reduction translates to approximately 27,400 lives saved between 2010 and 2022. Additionally, if all states had adopted Medicaid expansion, an estimated 12,800 additional deaths could have been prevented.

The study, which analyzed data from 37 million low-income adults by connecting 2010 Census information with administrative tax data, is over 60 times larger than previous research on this topic. Findings show that Medicaid enrollment increased by 12%, markedly improving survival not only among older adults but also among younger populations. Nearly half of the lives saved were from younger adults, highlighting significant policy implications given their longer remaining life expectancy.

Lead researcher Bruce D. Meyer emphasizes that the survival benefits for younger adults are especially relevant since they constitute a large segment of the low-income demographic and have more years ahead. He urges policymakers to consider these impacts when debating future Medicaid policies.

Cost-effectiveness analysis indicates that each life saved costs approximately $5.4 million, or $179,000 per life-year, which is considered reasonable within standard economic evaluations of health interventions. This suggests that expanding Medicaid is not only effective in saving lives but also a relatively economical public health strategy.

Overall, the study reinforces the vital role of Medicaid expansion in reducing mortality and improving health outcomes among low-income populations, demonstrating that healthcare policy can have a profound impact on life and death.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-06-medicaid-expansion-mortality-income-adults.html