Black Medicaid recipients are significantly more likely to be hospitalized for preventable health issues than their white counterparts, reveals a recent analysis by the Urban Institute. The report, based on 2019 data from 21 states, identifies heart failure, diabetes, and asthma/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as the top three preventable issues leading to hospitalization among Black individuals.
Katherine Hempstead, senior policy adviser at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, highlighted the concerning data for heart failure, indicating a lack of access to high-quality primary care, particularly for Black and/or disabled enrollees. The report underscores the persistent health disparities in America.
See “Preventable hospitalizations are disproportionately higher for Black Medicaid users” by Josiah Bates on The Grio website (January 30, 2024)
