Medicaid mysteries: transitional benefits, Medicaid coverage, and welfare exits.

The links between Medicaid and welfare exits are examined using longitudinal Medicaid program data. Few people who leave welfare get any sort of ongoing or transitional Medicaid protection. Moreover, it appears that many who are eligible for transitional benefits are not getting them. Finally, people with high expected medical costs appear to be less likely to leave welfare. The loss of Medicaid associated with leaving welfare probably does have an important deterrent effect on welfare exists.