The majority (56 percent) of the study participants were working.

(Methodology and participant characteristics are included in appendices.)

Emotions like long-term stress, depression, and shame can have detrimental effects on health.

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Before gaining Medicaid coverage, many midlife adults in the study experienced negative emotions related to being uninsured.

In 2017, 11 percent of adults on Medicaid were unable to work because of an illness or disability.

The report concludes with a set of policy recommendations:

1.

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States that have not enacted Medicaid expansions should do so as soon as possible.

States should reject the federal governments offer to seek section 1115 waivers to cap federal Medicaid funding.

All levels of government and the provider community should conduct robust campaigns to promote enrollment in Medicaid expansions.

Health care provider and patient

That decision is now pending appeal.

It assessed familiarity, satisfaction, and plan switching.

Mature couple working on family finances at home together. They pay bills, complete income taxes, apply for home loan, investing, or pay off a credit card.

![The mid adult female doctor and her senior adult male patient discuss the home healthcare options listed in the brochure.](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/aarpe/en/home/pri/topics/health/coverage-access/hear-their-voices/_jcr_content/root/container_main/container_body_main/container_body1/container_body_cf/container_additional_1/container_2123475527/featuredlist/tabItem/eliminating-access-no-cost-preventive-health-services-affect-older-adults3.coreimg.75.932.jpeg/content/dam/aarp/ppi/topics/health/coverage-access/no-cost preventive-health-services-report.jpg)

Navigating the Medicare Coverage Maze: Challenges and Policy Solutions

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