Impact of ACA Medicaid Expansions on Prenatal Care Utilization and Birth Outcomes

By covering all low-income women regardless of pregnancy status, the ACA Medicaid expansions could lead to better preconception care, more prenatal care, longer coverage for postpartum care and better birth outcomes. This study will compare changes in these types of outcomes for mothers in states that expanded Medicaid and states that did not, and will assess whether there are racial/ethnic differences in these impacts. Findings could help to inform remaining non-expansion states' decisions regarding Medicaid expansion.