In the debate over the Affordable Care Act, commonly referred to as “Obamacare,” one demographic has been largely left out of the conversation.
Many people in the homeless population have received improved medical care for the first time in years under Obamacare, and they are now worried that plans to get rid of the Affordable Care Act could directly affect their health in a negative way. About 15 percent of the homeless population is considered chronically homeless, making it difficult for them to afford or have access to proper healthcare. And years living on the streets or in poor conditions can have a vastly negative impact on a person’s health.
Under the Affordable Care Act, 31 states and the District of Columbia have been able to extend Medicaid coverage to non-disabled homeless adults. Health centers that treat the poor and homeless in these states have reported that before Obamacare, around 30 percent of their patients would be covered by insurance. Now, these numbers are closer to 80 or 90 percent through Medicaid or Medicare.
