Expanding Medicaid: Mental and Financial Health Improve

[Northerner]

New findings from the Oregon Health Insurance Experiment show that Medicaid coverage had no detectable effect on the prevalence of diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure, but substantially reduced depression, nearly eliminated catastrophic out-of-pocket expenditures, and increased the diagnosis of diabetes and the use of diabetes medication among low-income adults. The Oregon Health Insurance Experiment is the first use of a randomized controlled study design to evaluate the impact of covering the uninsured with Medicaid and provides important evidence for policy makers as the U.S. undertakes Medicaid expansion in 2014.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/05/130501193137.htm

Seems logical, and certainly shouldn't underestimate the importance of mental health to quality of life. Surprising that physical health isn't improved though, given greater access to healthcare and medication

 

[AlisonM]

Perhaps more is needed. Giving people easier access to the medications is a good start, but they need education too, don't they?