Medicaid is the federal health insurance program that covers people who have low-incomes and meet certain categories of eligibility. Medicaid eligibility varies by state.

The Affordable Care and Patient Protection Act (ACA) created a new category of eligibility for the Medicaid program to include individuals who have incomes at or below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).  Due to the Supreme Court decision in National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius  (2012) , states have the option to expand their Medicaid programs.

This chart shows what each state is doing.

Updated: 11/22 (information changes frequently, please check for updates)

1. MI expansion began 4/1/14
2. PA expansion began 1/1/15
3. NH expansion began 1/1/16
4. IA and AR implemented expansion through premium assistance & wrap around Medicaid
5. AK expansion began 9/1/15
6. MT expansion began 1/1/2016
7. LA Governor signed Executive Order for expansion that began 7/1/16
8. ME Governor signed Executive Order for expansion that began on 1/10/2019 with coverage retroactive to 7/2/2018
9. VA expansion began 1/1/19
10. UT voters approved expansion; it began 1/1/2020
11. ID voters approved expansion; it began 1/1/2020
12. NE voters approved expansion; it began 10/1/2020
13. OK voters approved expansion; it began 7/1/21
14. MO voters approved expansion to start 10/1/21 with coverage retroactive to 7/1/2021
15. SD voters approved a ballot measure 11/22. The Department of Social Services must submit its Medicaid expansion plan to the federal government by 3/1/23, and will begin providing benefits to newly eligible people by 7/1/23.
16. NC expansion began 12/1/2023