The evaluation focuses on the effects of Medicaid expansion on health outcomes i

The evaluation focuses on the effects of Medicaid expansion on health outcomes in the United States. Medicaid is a program jointly funded by the federal and state governments that provides health coverage for low-income individuals and families. As part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), states were allowed to expand Medicaid to a larger population, including adults with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level (Artiga & Ubri, 2020). The evaluation will also consider the effect of Medicaid expansion on healthcare utilization and costs, including whether expansion leads to a shift from costly emergency room visits to primary care services, increased use of preventive services, and reduced healthcare spending. This evaluation seeks to determine the effectiveness of Medicaid expansion in improving the health outcomes of the newly covered population. It will analyze data on various health indicators, such as access to healthcare, utilization of preventive services, management of chronic conditions, and overall health status. The study will compare states that expanded Medicaid to those that did not, considering factors such as pre-expansion health disparities, demographics, and economic conditions (Currie & Duque, 2019). When comparing states, the evaluation will carefully consider pre-expansion health disparities, demographics, and economic conditions. It will consider factors such as baseline rates of uninsured individuals, poverty levels, and existing healthcare infrastructure to ensure that the comparison between expansion and non-expansion states is fair and valid. Impact of Social Determinants Medicaid expansion is influenced by various social determinants of health, such as socioeconomic status, education, access to healthy food, neighborhood, and environment, and cultural and linguistic factors (Artiga & Ubri, 2020). These factors can create barriers to healthcare access and utilization, leading to potential health disparities. For example, low-income individuals may struggle with transportation to healthcare facilities or affording necessary medications. Low levels of education can result in a lack of health literacy, making it challenging to understand healthcare options and access preventive services (Milstead & Short, 2019). Food insecurity can negatively impact health outcomes, even with expanded Medicaid coverage, as proper nutrition is essential for managing chronic conditions. Living in neighborhoods with limited access to quality healthcare or high pollution levels can also negatively affect health. Language barriers and cultural norms can also influence individuals’ perception and utilization of healthcare services, ultimately impacting their overall health status. References Artiga, S., & Ubri, P. (2020). Medicaid enrollment and spending growth: FY 2020 & 2021. Kaiser Family Foundation. Retrieved from: https://www.kff.org/medicaid/report/medicaid-enrollment-spending-growth-fy-2020-2021/Links to an external site. Currie, J., & Duque, V. (2019). Medicaid: what does it do, and can we do it better?. The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 686(1), 148-179. Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide (6th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning