A recent government report shows that while health insurance for college students has improved a lot in the last ten years, gaps still exist. These gaps mainly affect students from historically disadvantaged racial and ethnic backgrounds, those in states without expanded Medicaid, and some working students.
According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), health coverage among undergraduate and graduate students aged 18-64 rose from about 81% in 2010 to 92% in 2022, largely due to the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Yet, around 1.6 million students were still uninsured in 2022. The report emphasizes that American Indian or Alaska Native students (18.3%), Hispanic or Latino students (13.1%), and Black students (9.7%) had much higher uninsured rates compared to their White peers (5.2%).
One surprising finding was that students in states that didn’t expand Medicaid were uninsured at nearly double the rate of those in states that did. Specifically, 12% of students in non-expansion states lacked coverage, contrasted with just 6% in states that expanded access.
The GAO also looked at how colleges deal with health coverage for students. In a survey of 235 four-year colleges, 154 offered health plans for domestic undergraduates, while 120 required students to have health insurance during the 2022-2023 academic year. However, many college leaders noted challenges students face, such as high costs and limited options in states that haven’t expanded Medicaid.
Interestingly, two-year colleges tend to offer fewer health plans. Administrators there often mention that the premiums are too high compared to tuition fees. This situation points to a broader issue where many college health centers do not provide complete care, emphasizing the need for wider health insurance coverage.
To help students, the government has created resources like a specific Healthcare.gov webpage to assist in finding marketplace plans. They also fund navigator organizations linked to colleges and run programs aimed at addressing students’ basic needs.
However, the GAO report warns that many students struggle to understand health insurance options. This lack of comprehension, combined with a tendency to overlook the importance of coverage, creates significant hurdles. Both schools and federal agencies must continue working to assist students in overcoming these challenges.
Overall, as college health coverage improves, it’s vital to ensure that all students, especially those in vulnerable groups, have the resources and understanding needed to secure effective health insurance.
For more insights on the state’s Medicaid expansion and its impacts, you can explore this report from the Kaiser Family Foundation.
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