The Rise of Health Disparities in the United States: An Investigation into Medicaid Expansionary Policies

Since the passage of the Affordable Care Act, the variations in health spending and health outcomes across states have further diverged. While some states have increased their overall funding of Medicaid, others, like Texas, have not increased Medicaid coverage nor have they kept funding equal to inflation levels. This research paper examines and compares the health outcomes of states with higher uninsured populations and the ability to meet UNESCO defined standards for social responsibility in the health care sector. Based on literature review and a case study of health outcomes for low-income patients and disabled individuals, this paper finds that non-expansion Medicaid states are not capable of meeting UNESCO defined standards, due to the barriers to mental health care and the likelihood of long-term disparities in health outcomes for low-income and disabled individuals.