Harvard researchers have analyzed administrative data from states that began their Medicaid expansion early, under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which gave states the option of expanding Medicaid coverage to low-income adults. Though many states are just beginning to expand Medicaid in this way, some states, including Connecticut, embarked on this expansion as early as 2010. Data from states like Connecticut and Minnesota may be a harbinger for other states as they expand their coverage.
Interestingly, researchers have found evidence that some of the new enrollees are switching to Medicaid from private insurance, a phenomenon known as “crowding out.” Researchers say this could account for between 30% and 40% of the increase in Connecticut’s Medicaid enrollment.
