This study examined the impact of the Washington State Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) Medicaid expansion on patient disposition (i.e., home vs. inpatient rehabilitation), mortality (i.e., death), and length of hospital stay after burn injury. For severe burns, inpatient rehabilitation after hospitalization improves functional outcomes. However, studies have found that people without health insurance are less likely to be discharged to rehabilitation after burn injury, and have a shorter length of stay compared to those with private insurance. The researchers hypothesized that increased insurance coverage would result in improved outcomes, including higher rates of discharge to inpatient rehabilitation.

Read the entire review at the MSKTC website!