Medicaid Expansion Improves Hypertension and Diabetes Control
by Okunola Oluwaseyi
For people with diabetes, having effective medications, whether it be insulin or oral agents, is a game-changer.
However, many who don’t have insurance skip treatment because they cannot cover the cost or they don’t have access.
After various states expanded Medicaid, prescriptions for diabetes medications increased.
One study found that states that adopted the expansion in 2014–2015 had 30 more diabetes prescriptions per 1,000 people compared to non-expansion states in the same period.
This boost in access to meds translated into better blood sugar control, which in turn led to better glucose outcomes in many clinics. It showed that when people can afford their meds, attend checkups, and have continuity of care, both hypertension and diabetes management would improve measurably.