AMA releases new research on physicians' patient mix

CHICAGO — Patients without health insurance were a slimmer percentage of physicians’ total patient mix by health insurance status in 2016 compared to 2012, according to new research from the American Medical Association (AMA). While the change was expected given historic gains in health insurance coverage, AMA research shows the shrinking percentage of uninsured patients in physician practices was driven by states that expanded Medicaid programs under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

“The overall picture from new physician-reported data is of more patients covered and fewer uninsured, but the findings also indicate that the improvement along those lines was concentrated in states that expanded their Medicaid programs under the ACA,” said David O. Barbe, M.D. “Expanding Medicaid has provided much needed coverage to our low-income patients, improved access to care, and enhanced the health and well-being of the newly insured. Medicaid expansion is not simply a budget issue. Lawmakers must also consider the real human effects of this decision, including the health and well-being of those who have gained coverage under expansion.”