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Families experience a number of obstacles when living in poverty, but one of the most significant may be staying healthy. Mental health issues affect millions of people nationwide, but for low-income families in particular, accessing the proper treatment and care is difficult. Fortunately for families and individuals that qualify for Medicaid, mental health services are covered through the program.
According to a report by the American Mental Health Counselors Association, mental illness is extremely prevalent among low-income people. Nationwide, 18 million adults between the ages of 18 to 64 who live without health insurance, and make less than 138 percent of the federal poverty level, suffer from mental health issues. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), states have the option of whether or not to expand Medicaid eligibility within their states. If all states decided to expand Medicaid eligibility, these 18 million adults currently living on the brink of poverty would qualify for coverage and subsequently receive mental health treatment. Currently, there are 25 states that have yet to expand Medicaid, which unfortunately impacts the 4 million people with serious mental health issues living in those states.
Access to mental health treatment and services is also an equity issue, because the severity of mental health needs and access to treatment differ dramatically among people of color. Of the 25 states that have decided not to expand Medicaid, 11 are southern states with disproportionate number of uninsured people of color.
The cost of Medicaid expansion to states is minimal. The federal government covers 100 percent of the costs of new Medicaid enrollees under new eligibility rules from 2014 through 2016, then tapers off to 90 percent until 2020, which leaves states with only 10 percent of the cost.
Providing coverage and treatment for mental illness is crucial for families, because treatment has demonstrated positive results. In many cases, mental health conditions that go untreated can turn into severe cases that result in visits to the emergency room, homelessness, or even jail and prison. Medicaid can play an important role in preventing and treating these individuals before their health worsens.
For more information on the ACA and Medicaid expansion, read our Policy for Results brief, Using the Affordable Care Act to Improve Well-Being Outcomes for Children & Families.