New Report Highlights Health Inequities Among Medicaid-Eligible Populations in New England

Today, the Siftwell 2024 Medicaid-Eligible Health Equity Index report revealed significant health disparities affecting New England's Medicaid-eligible populations, particularly among racial minorities.¹ These findings highlight ongoing challenges and barriers that underscore the need for systemic changes to improve health care access and outcomes for vulnerable groups.

More than half of New England's Medicaid-eligible population faces health inequities, especially those based on race.

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"Health care inequity remains ever-present and especially egregious for individuals covered by Medicaid," Trey Sutten, CEO and co-founder of Siftwell, stated in the report. "It's clear that harmful biases get in the way of members accessing care and receiving the supports and services they deserve."

More than half of New England's Medicaid-eligible population believe they have faced health inequities, with 58% citing they have used or currently use local or state-wide services. LGBTQ+ community members were 16% more likely to utilize these services compared with straight individuals, and women were 10% more likely to use state or local support services compared with men.

Mental health centers and programs for pregnant women saw the highest usage at 29% and 23%, respectively, helping address gaps in the health care landscape for vulnerable populations.

Nearly half (44%) of respondents said that they have been diagnosed with depression, and 42% reported being diagnosed with anxiety, and 29% of respondents reported that it is difficult to access mental health services where they live.

Additionally, 43% of the population had heard of local childcare programs, support groups, and health care services for new parents, and 41% of respondents believed there is adequate support available in their area. Notably, 31% of Hispanic Latino respondents and 29% of White respondents attributed inequitable care to their mental health status, while 25% of Black or African American respondents cited racial bias as a contributing factor.

From a larger perspective, policy changes to Medicaid and Medicare have raised concerns among health care researchers. In particular, the introduction of work requirements for Medicaid qualification and the termination of continuous enrollment for Medicaid are expected to have significant impacts. Estimates from the research suggested that these changes to Medicaid policy could contribute to more than 8000 additional deaths among individuals under 65.²

While there's still much progress to be made, efforts to address these inequities are ongoing. Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) and Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) have made notable strides in combating health disparities.¹ These organizations have been actively working to address health care inequities that affect Medicaid-eligible populations, particularly focusing on racial and ethnic disparities in access to care and health outcomes. They have been instrumental in providing support services to vulnerable populations, including mental health support, crisis intervention services, and programs for pregnant women and young children. By offering these services, they help bridge gaps in healthcare access and promote better health outcomes.

Collaborative efforts between CBOs, MCOs, Medicaid agencies, health care providers, and other stakeholders have led to the development of comprehensive strategies aimed at reducing health disparities. By working together, the report suggests these organizations can leverage resources, expertise, and community connections to address the root causes of inequities and improve health care access for underserved populations.

Additionally, these organizations have been advocating for policy changes and initiatives that aim to reduce health disparities and promote health equity. By engaging in advocacy efforts at local, state, and national levels, these organizations help raise awareness about the importance of addressing health care disparities and drive meaningful change in the health care system.

"By identifying the most significant problems and barriers within the region, providers and payers have a blueprint to enhance care and accessibility for high-risk populations," the report stated.

References

1. Siftwell. 2024 Medicaid-eligible health equity index: A report on the state of racial and ethnic, health-related social needs (HRSN), behavioral and mental health, maternal and child health disparities within the New England region for Medicaid-eligible populations. Published July 11, 2024. Accessed July 11, 2024. https://siftwell.ai/2024-medicaid-eligible-health-equity-index-new-england/

2. Klein H. Medicaid, Medicare policy changes could lead to more than 25,000 additional deaths, study says. AJMC. April 30, 2024. https://www.ajmc.com/view/medicaid-medicare-policy-changes-could-lead-to-more-than-25-000-additional-deaths-study-says