Figure 2b. Who Are the Poor and Uninsured?

Cost and Coverage Impacts of Extending Medicaid Coverage to Adults Up to 150 Percent of the Federal Poverty Line, 2002

[D] Figure 2b depicts the cost and coverage impacts of extending Medicaid coverage to adults up to 150 percent of the Federal poverty line in 2002. Specifically, it identifies and categorizes blocks of remaining uninsured persons by status and income using the same groups outlined in Figure 2a, namely the Aged and Disabled; Pregnant Women and Infants; Children Ages 1-5, 6-13, and 14-18; Parents; Childless Adults; and Ineligible Non-citizens. By displaying estimates of the number of persons in each block and the actuarial cost of covering the various groups, researchers were able to encourage policymakers to begin discussing priorities for expanding coverage and their potential costs.

The figure shows the maximum income level at which individuals are eligible for Medicaid coverage (by income as a percent of the Federal Poverty Line): aged and disabled, 76 percent; pregnant women and infants, 150 percent; children ages 1-5, 133 percent; children ages 6-13, 100 percent; children ages 14-18, 100 percent; parents, 50 percent; childless adults, 0 percent; ineligible non-citizens, 0 percent. Children are covered by the State Children's Health Insurance Program up to the following income levels: children ages 1-5, 200 percent; children ages 6-13, 200 percent; children ages 14-18, 200 percent.

Under a simulated expansion for parents, an additional 1.2 million people would be covered with limits at 100 percent of the poverty line (cost, $3.2 billion); an additional 1.0 million people would be covered with limits at 133 percent of the poverty line (cost, $3.0 billion); and an additional 0.6 million people would be covered with limits at 150 percent of the poverty line (cost, $1.4 billion). Under a similar simulated expansion for childless adults, an additional 5.0 million would be covered with limits at 50 percent of poverty (cost, $13.7 billion); an additional 2.4 million with limits at 100 percent of poverty (cost, $6.2 billion); an additional 1.9 million with limits at 133 percent of poverty (cost, $6.0 billion); and an additional 1.1 million at 150 percent of poverty (cost, $2.8 billion).

Note: The data in the graph are illustrative only and do not represent any particular State or expansion proposal.

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