Medicaid, fewer deaths linked

States that expanded their Medicaid programs saw a significant drop in adult mortality rates compared to states that did not, a study shows.

Researchers from Harvard School of Public Health found adult mortality rates were reduced by an average of about 6 percent in three states that expanded their programs within the last decade (Arizona, Maine and New York) compared to four neighboring states that did not (New Hampshire, New Mexico, Nevada and Pennsylvania), according to California Healthline. The study found death rates dropped most for minorities, residents of low-income counties and adults aged 35 to 64.

Expansion also led to lower rates of uninsured adults, fewer instances of delayed care due to cost and an increase in respondents who categorized their health status as “excellent” or “very good.”