ISSUE. Texas is one of 17 states that has not expanded Medicaid, and it has the highest uninsured rate of any state. GOAL. To examine how low-income Texans view the potential economic and employment implications of Medicaid expansion in their state. METHODS. Comparison of findings from a 2018 survey of low-income U.S. citizens in Texas ages 19 to 64 with findings from a survey of low-income adults in three Medicaid expansion states: Arkansas, Kentucky, and Louisiana. FINDINGS. Low-income adults in Texas were much more likely to be uninsured and to experience financial barriers to care than their counterparts in the three Medicaid expansion states. Only 3 percent of low-income Texans thought gaining Medicaid would make them less likely to work. Forty-two percent said gaining Medicaid would help their financial situation; 9 percent said it would worsen it. More than half of low-income Texans said Medicaid expansion would help the state's economy. CONCLUSIONS. Most low-income Texans think Medicaid expansion would have positive economic effects on their families and the state. If Texas expands Medicaid, 1.2 million uninsured individuals could become eligible for coverage, which would likely increase affordability of care for low-income adults and produce other benefits to the state's economy.
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