From theory to praxis: How political ideology is reinforcing health inequities

The Affordable Care Act was intended to help millions of low-income people gain health insurance coverage for the first time through state expanded Medicaid programs and insurance marketplaces, unfortunately not everything worked out the way it was imagined. Twenty-five states have refused to expand Medicaid, leaving millions of people in the coverage gap. To make matters worse, a lot of these same states defaulted to the Federally Facilitated Marketplace ceding their ability to create a local, tailored solution. In the context of implementation, many state legislatures have created additional barriers to health care by imposing burdensome rules on health insurance navigators and banning abortion coverage in marketplace plans. The decisions being made by these political leaders are interconnected, further attacking women, especially low-income women, women of color, and LGBT communities. Particularly in conservative Southern states these attacks are increasing health inequities that reinforce race, class, and gender divisions. This presentation will discuss the political context in these states, its impact, and challenges. We will also discuss innovative opportunities and the ways local advocates and grassroots organizers are collaborating to overcome these challenges.