Bankrate’s coverage gap story shed light on the millions of low-income Americans who, in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s 2012 ACA ruling, have been locked out of reaping the benefits of a reformed health care system and who don’t have very many options. An expanded Medicaid program was intended to be the solution for many Americans without affordable health insurance, but the Supreme Court made expansion optional for states and only 25 have agreed to the expansion. This leaves nearly 5 million Americans with incomes too low to receive subsidies on the state and federal online marketplaces and incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid in states that did not expand the program. The story explains why this coverage gap exists and outlines the health care options for the consumers who fall in that gap, including visiting community clinics and seeking out limited-coverage programs for certain ailments.
