Abstract
Problems accessing affordable treatment are common among low-income adults with substance use disorders. A difference-in-differences analysis was performed to assess changes in insurance and treatment of low-income adults with common substance use disorders following the 2014 ACA Medicaid expansion, using data from the 2008–2017 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health. Lack of insurance among low-income adults with substance use disorders in expansion states declined from 34.8% (2012–2013) to 20.0% (2014–2015) to 13.5% (2016–2017) while Medicaid coverage increased from 24.8% (2012–2013) to 48.0% (2016–2017). In nonexpansion states, lack of insurance declined from 44.8% (2012–2013) to 34.2% (2016–2017) and Medicaid coverage increased from 14.3% (2012–2013) to 23.4% (2016–2017). Treatment rates remained low and little changed. Medicaid expansion contributed to insurance coverage gains for low-income adults with substance use disorders, although persistent treatment gaps underscore clinical and policy challenges of engaging these newly insured adults in treatment.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 477-486 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Journal of Behavioral Health Services and Research |
Volume | 48 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 2021 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Health(social science)
- Health Policy
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health