Medicaid is a critical source of health care for millions of US women, supporting them through every stage of life. Nearly 1 in 5 women aged 19-64 rely on Medicaid or CHIP. The Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansions allowed states to cover all adults up to 138% FPL, covering millions more low-income women regardless of pregnancy, parenting, or disability status in 40 states and D.C.. Our new brief details Medicaid’s importance for women across their lives.
With women earning less than men on average, Medicaid’s income-based eligibility offers an important source of economic and health security during women’s lives. It allows them to get their own health needs met, especially as many women support the caregiving needs of their children and parents. Medicaid expansion coverage for women has been linked to an increase in the utilization of preventive care services.
Medicaid covers nearly 1 in 4 women ages 19-44 in rural communities. Half of these women of childbearing age are covered by Medicaid in 20 rural counties.
Medicaid, especially through the ACA expansion, is a major source of health and economic support for low-income working women, including unpaid caregivers. Six in 10 women covered by Medicaid are working. Medicaid supports nearly one-third of direct care workers, such as personal aides, home health aides, direct support professionals, and nursing assistants. Medicaid also covers more than 1 in 4 child care workers– mostly women– who help parents work.
Medicaid covers basic preventive care, including well-woman visits to detect and prevent chronic diseases, domestic and interpersonal violence screenings, and breastfeeding support. It is the single largest payer of services to treat mental health and substance use conditions and has been a major player in combating the nation’s opioid crisis.
Medicaid’s importance to maternal health is no secret to regular SayAhhh!! readers, financing more than 40% of all US births, with all but two states adopting the 12-Month postpartum extension. States have expanded the use of Medicaid-funded services or providers, such as community-based doulas, community health workers, and home visiting.
Medicaid is the largest payer of long-term care, supporting older women and those with disabilities. Nearly one in five Americans ages 50 to 64 are covered by Medicaid, as well as more than 40% of nonelderly women with a broad range of physical and mental disabilities.
Rural communities have suffered hospital closures and declining OB units, forcing women to travel longer distances to give birth. Cuts would further limit access to needed care as states are forced to pull back services or cut provider rates. Medicaid is vital to women’s health and economic security, underscoring the importance of a strong, sustained program. The proposed reconciliation cuts would harm women at every stage of life.
Read more about how Medicaid supports women across the lifespan in our brief here.