The report demonstrates the positive health impacts of bolstering the federal safety net. Healthcare costs — which, as of this year, can run a typical family of four an average of over $31,000 through private insurance — have been cited as a barrier to care and a source of debt or financial hardship.
Medicaid is associated with more emergency department visits than private insurance plans, perhaps reflecting difficulty accessing outpatient care, but it is less expensive than private insurance. Total costs for marketplace plans tend to run Americans 83% more than Medicaid, due to higher prices, including cost sharing for covered services, and higher out-of-pocket costs.
