Uninsured Veterans and Family Members: State and National Estimates of Expanded Medicaid Eligibility Under the ACA

Abstract

Analysis of the 2008-2010 American Community Survey indicates that 535,000 uninsured veterans and 174,000 uninsured spouses of veterans -- or 4 in 10 uninsured veterans and 1 in 4 uninsured spouses -- have incomes below 138 percent of poverty and could qualify for Medicaid or new subsidies for coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Most have incomes below 100 percent of poverty and will only have new coverage options if their state expands Medicaid. Since uninsurance is related to greater problems accessing care, increased Medicaid enrollment could improve the likelihood that their health care needs are being met