EVENT: Closing the Medicaid Coverage Gap

Among the historic health care investments in President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better agenda is a plan to close the Medicaid coverage gap. Today, about 2.2 million people with family incomes below the federal poverty level—most of whom are people of color—are uninsured because they live in states where policymakers continue to block Medicaid expansion. Ensuring that all people have access to coverage regardless of where they live is essential to reducing health disparities and advancing health equity. The Biden administration and congressional leaders have sought to center health equity in the COVID-19 response; a permanent, comprehensive coverage expansion that closes the coverage gap is an essential part of this approach.

Emily Stewart, executive director of Community Catalyst; Patrick Gaspard, president and CEO, The Center for American Progress; and Wade Henderson, interim president and CEO, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights joined Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-SC) about the need to close the coverage gap.