Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management

Participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has been shown to significantly reduce food insecurity. However, not all people eligible for SNAP benefits enroll in the program and the eligibility-enrollment gap varies widely across states. This research seeks to understand whether state expansion of Medicaid through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has spillover effects on SNAP participation, SNAP benefits received, and in turn, food security. Data from the 2007-2015 waves of the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID) are used to conduct a difference-in-difference analysis comparing SNAP participation and benefits before and after ACA implementation among states that did and did not expand Medicaid. Additional analyses will compare food insecurity in 2015 among households living in states that did and did not expand Medicaid. By examining possible spill-over effects regarding SNAP enrollment and food insecurity, the findings provide important information about potential synergies between Medicaid and SNAP participation.