Examining Medicaid expansion, work requirements, and public attitudes toward America's largest public health insurance program
My research on Medicaid policy investigates the political dynamics surrounding program expansion, work requirements, and administrative changes that affect access to care for low-income Americans. Through large-scale surveys and policy analysis, I examine how public attitudes toward Medicaid are shaped by perceptions of deservingness, racial resentment, and political ideology.
A key focus of my work has been understanding public support for—and opposition to—Medicaid work requirements. My research reveals that while Americans are divided on this issue, attitudes become more nuanced when considering specific exemptions and beneficiary circumstances. I have documented how work requirements implemented in states like Arkansas led to significant coverage losses, with approximately 25% of affected beneficiaries losing coverage before courts deemed the policy unlawful.
My work also examines the Medicaid "unwinding" following the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency, when over 25 million individuals lost coverage as states resumed normal eligibility processes. Through national surveys, I have assessed public preferences for burden reduction policies and found broad support for measures that would protect eligible beneficiaries from coverage loss—support that often exceeded what state governments actually implemented.