Half a Million Americans With Diabetes Face Medicaid Coverage Loss

The research, conducted by Health Management Associates, indicates that rural communities and states that previously expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act will bear the brunt of these losses. Beyond the projected coverage drops, 1.5 million enrollees face new cost-sharing obligations by 2029, potentially adding $1,000 annually to out-of-pocket expenses in certain regions. Lisa Murdock, the ADA’s chief advocacy officer, warned that this reduction in access will inevitably lead to a spike in emergency room visits and severe health complications.

In addition to the Medicaid crisis, the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits threatens coverage for 654,000 people with diabetes in the individual market, with 70% of those losses concentrated in the southern United States. To mitigate these risks, the ADA is calling on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to expand the definition of "medical frailty" to protect beneficiaries unable to work. Furthermore, the association is pushing Congress to pass the INSULIN Act to cap monthly out-of-pocket costs at $35 for commercial insurance plans, aiming to preserve affordability for those forced off government programs.