Increase was slower in Medicaid expansion states, resulting in net decrease from 2018-2019 to 2021-2022<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter<\/b>
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THURSDAY, April 10, 2025 (HealthDay News) — All-cause mortality increased in 2020 to 2021 nationwide, with a slower increase in Medicaid expansion states, according to a study published online April 3 in the American Journal of Public Health<\/em>.<\/p>\n Xuesong Han, Ph.D., from the American Cancer Society in Atlanta, and colleagues examined the association of state Medicaid expansion status with mortality changes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using 2018 to 2022 mortality surveillance data, deaths were identified at ages 20 to 64 years in 3,142 U.S. counties. For each county, age-adjusted mortality rates were calculated. Changes in mortality rates pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic onset were calculated in Medicaid expansion states relative to nonexpansion states, with adjustment for county sociodemographic factors and state COVID-19 vaccination rates.<\/p>\n The researchers found that in 2020 to 2021, all-cause mortality rates increased nationwide, with a slight decrease in 2022. Medicaid expansion states had a slower increase, resulting in a net decrease from 2018-2019 to 2021-2022 of 31.8 per 100,000 person-years associated with Medicaid expansion. The largest decrease was seen for deaths from heart disease or liver disease and was seen across sex, age, and race subpopulations.<\/p>\n “This research is important because many people experienced employment disruptions during the pandemic, which, in addition to loss of household income, also led to loss of employment-based health insurance coverage,” Han said in a statement. “Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act could improve access to care and reduce health disparities during the public health emergency.”<\/p>\n Abstract\/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)<\/a><\/p>\n