The Affordable Care Act’s Impact on Community Health Center and Emergency Department Usage in Massachusetts​

Abstract

Introduction The Affordable Care Act increased funding to community health centers in states that chose to expand Medicaid. Massachusetts, a state that expanded Medicaid, has a dense network of community health centers and high volume emergency departments. This paper aimed to identify if the Affordable Care Act increased community health center usage and decreased emergency department usage. Methods Data for community health center usage for 2010 – 2014 were obtained through Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers. Data for community health center usage for 2015 – 2018 were obtained through Health Resources and Services Administration. Emergency Department data were obtained through Massachusetts Center for Health Information and Analysis. Results The Affordable Care Act increased community health center usage significantly and linearly over the 8-year period. Emergency Department usage did not decrease linearly but did decrease over the 8-year period. Conclusion The Affordable Care Act has the potential to decrease emergency department usage through primary and preventative care when Medicaid is expanded. Further research is needed in other states with differing community health center networks.