A lack of insurance, or living in one of the 14 states that haven't expanded medicaid, may cause a COVID-19 illness to be more severe, according to a new study.
The research published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, found more than 18-million Americans who are at an increased risk of severe coronavirus have little to no insurance.
Those who are underinsured, may delay care due to cost concerns.
The Harvard Medical School, City University of New York, Hunter College, and Cambridge Health Alliance authors wrote that people of color, people who have limited family income and people living in rural area tend to be the most likely groups that are underinsured.
They say those who live in states where medicaid has not been expanded, are 52% more likely to be inadequately insured, compared to those in other states, where medicaid has been expanded.
