10 Facts About Medicaid That You Should Know

10 Facts About Medicaid That You Should Know

Medicaid is the government health insurance for low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults and people with disabilities.

And the Republican health bill, unveiled by Senate Republicans Thursday, includes dramatic cuts to the program. In fact, the GOP Obamacare repeal bill cuts Medicaid funding by over $800 billion.

So as Republicans in Washington consider throwing millions of people off their health insurance plans, we thought it would be helpful to review some basic facts about Medicaid.

Here are 10 facts abut Medicaid that you should know:

Fact #1: Medicaid provides health insurance to about 75 million Americans making it the single largest health insurance provider in the country.

Fact #2: Almost 50 percent of births in the United States are covered by Medicaid.

Fact #3: Medicaid provides health insurance for 35.7 million children in the United States – that’s 39 percent of children.

Fact #4:  Medicaid is the largest provider of long-term care (like nursing homes) in the United States. In 2013, Medicaid payments account for 51 percent of all long-term services and supports.

Fact #5:  Medicaid is the largest provider of substance abuse services in the United States. Just through Obamacare’s Medicaid expansion, 1.2 million people have gained access to substance abuse and addiction services.

Fact #6:  Medicaid provides insurance for about half of children with special needs in the United States.

Fact #7:  Medicaid helps support over 40 million caregivers in the United States who provide care for family members.

Fact #8: Medicaid provides health insurance for 30 percent of Americans with disabilities.

Fact #9: Medicaid provides health insurance for 60 percent of children with disabilities in America.

Fact #10:  Obamacare’s Medicaid expansion has helped reduce the percentage of uninsured Americans dramatically. In states that expanded Medicaid coverage under Obamacare, the percentage of uninsured dropped from 18.4 percent in 2013 to 9.8 percent in 2015. And in states that didn’t expand Medicaid, the uninsured rate drops much less from 22.7 percent in 2013 to 17.5 percent in 2015.

[image via screengrab]