Fact Check: "Cuts to Medicaid can lead to increased mortality rates."
What We Know
Recent studies indicate that cuts to Medicaid could significantly increase mortality rates among vulnerable populations. A seminar hosted by the University of Pennsylvania's Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics projected that proposed Medicaid cuts could lead to more than 51,000 preventable deaths annually. The researchers cited several factors contributing to this alarming statistic, including increased administrative barriers that would prevent eligible individuals from accessing Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance marketplaces.
The findings suggest that the loss of Medicaid coverage could result in approximately 20,000 deaths per year due to the lack of access to necessary medical care. Additionally, the failure to extend enhanced ACA subsidies could lead to another 8,800 preventable deaths. The overall impact of these cuts is expected to increase the uninsured population by 60%, exacerbating health disparities and leading to higher mortality rates.
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim that Medicaid cuts can lead to increased mortality rates is robust and comes from credible sources. The seminar at the University of Pennsylvania featured experts like Rachel M. Werner, MD, PhD, who emphasized the established link between insurance coverage and mortality rates, particularly for Medicaid recipients. Werner noted that for every 1,000 people on Medicaid, between 1 and 4 lives are saved annually.
Moreover, a separate analysis indicated that similar Medicaid cuts could lead to 16,000 preventable deaths annually, reinforcing the findings from the Penn seminar. This analysis also highlighted that millions of individuals would lose access to primary care and medications, further contributing to adverse health outcomes.
While some may argue that the projected numbers are speculative, the consensus among health care researchers is that there is a clear correlation between health insurance coverage and mortality rates. The sources cited, particularly the seminar and peer-reviewed studies, are credible and reflect the views of experts in health economics and policy.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that cuts to Medicaid can lead to increased mortality rates is substantiated by substantial evidence from reputable studies and expert analyses. The projected increase in preventable deaths due to loss of Medicaid coverage and the associated barriers to accessing health care strongly supports this assertion. The relationship between insurance coverage and mortality is well-documented, making the claim credible and concerning.
