How the ACA Has Impacted Residents in the South

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People in the rapidly growing, increasingly urban, racially and ethnically diverse American South face dire poverty and health equity issues.

In fact, compared to those in other regions, Southerners are more likely to be uninsured, less likely to have access to needed health services, and more likely to experience a number of chronic health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.

That’s why health care access and coverage is so vital.

A new report, developed by the Kaiser Family Foundation’s Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured and the Satcher Health Leadership Institute, indicates that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has created new opportunities to advance health equity in the South, as new coverage options are available, especially in states involved in the Medicaid expansion.

Many states, however, are using the federally run marketplace and not expanding Medicaid.

“Even with these gaps in coverage, millions of uninsured Southerners are now eligible for coverage, and effective outreach and enrollment efforts are key for ensuring that they are enrolled,” the report states.

The U.S. South, made up of 17 states and 115 million people, is 36% Latino.

The ACA still provides opportunities to improve coverage in this region, with recent data showing that some states have experienced significant increases since open enrollment began due to outreach to eligible participants and a streamlined enrollment process. Some states, however, have reduced spending for outreach and enrollment efforts, which jeopardizes health equity in the South.

For hard-to-reach populations, such as racial/ethnic minorities, outreach and enrollment efforts come through trusted individuals in the community. Fear and distrust, especially regarding immigration policies, can hamper enrollment among Latinos.

“Continued attention to health coverage and care in the South for those gaining coverage and those remaining uninsured will be important for understanding the impact of the ACA and implications for longstanding efforts to reduce disparities in coverage, care, and health outcomes,” the report states.

The ACA still provides opportunities to improve coverage with recent data showing that some states have experienced significant increases since open enrollment began. This is likely in part due to the outreach done to those who were eligible to participate in the ACA as well as streamlining the enrollment process. Some states, however, have reduced spending for outreach and enrollment efforts which is a challenge to advancing health equity in the South.

For hard-to-reach populations, such as ethnic and racial minorities, outreach and enrollment efforts come through trusted individuals in the community. Fear and distrust, especially in regards to immigration policies, can hamper enrollment in the Latino community.

“Continued attention to health coverage and care in the South for those gaining coverage and those remaining uninsured will be important for understanding the impact of the ACA and implications for longstanding efforts to reduce disparities in coverage, care, and health outcomes,” according to the report.