Medicaid Expansions and Access to Substance Abuse Treatment Services Among Limited English Proficiency Populations

BACKGROUND: Although the myriad of provisions under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) have generally increased coverage and financial access to the health systems, language barriers represent a serious challenge to access to care among Limited English Proficiency (LEP) populations. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of Medicaid expansions under the ACA on the availability of language services and Medicaid acceptance in substance abuse treatment (SAT) facilities. RESEARCH DESIGN: A quasi-experimental difference-in-differences design with multiple time periods was used to compare changes in the availability of language services and Medicaid as a payment source between Medicaid expansion and nonexpansion states. Facility-level observational data in the National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services 2010–2019 was included. MEASURES: Availability of LEP services and Medicaid acceptance in the SAT facilities. RESULTS: The proportion of SAT facilities that provide LEP services increased from 40% in 2013 to 53% in 2019. The proportions by state are heterogeneous, ranging from approximately 20% to 70%. The ACA Medicaid expansions are not associated with changes in the availability of LEP services in the facilities. Moreover, Medicaid acceptance in the expansion states increased gradually following the expansion; however, the estimates are not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The ACA Medicaid expansion had no impact on the availability of LEP services and the acceptance of Medicaid as a payment source in the SAT facilities.