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Using the data in the report, we identified the states that offer the most—and least—comprehensive health care coverage based on whether they provide coverage for 11 condition-specific services, such as bariatric surgery, infertility treatments, and autism spectrum disorder therapies.
The states with the most comprehensive coverage are:
- Illinois, which requires coverage for nine of the 11 services;
- New Mexico, which requires coverage for eight of the 11 services;
- Nevada, which requires coverage for eight of the 11 services;
- Arkansas, which requires coverage for seven of the 11 services;
- Arizona, which requires coverage for seven of the 11 services;
- Maryland, which requires coverage for seven of the 11 services;
- North Carolina, which requires coverage for seven of the 11 services;
- New York, which requires coverage for seven of the 11 services; and
- Rhode Island, which requires coverage for seven of the 11 services.
The researchers note that a state's EHBs tend to reflect the politics and health priorities of that state. So it's not too surprising that of the nine states that offer at least seven of the services outlined in the RWJF report, only North Carolina has not opted to expand its Medicaid program.
The 'two Americas' of health care
Who's saying no to the ACA? The states that might need it the most.Meanwhile, the states with the least comprehensive coverage are:
- Pennsylvania, which requires coverage for one of the services;
- Utah, which requires coverage for one of the services;
- Alabama, which requires coverage for two of the services;
- Idaho, which requires coverage for two of the services;
- Nebraska, which requires coverage for two of the services; and
- South Carolina, which requires coverage for two of the services.