evidence: Born asserts cost shouldn’t be factored in to whether Medicaid or private insurance offers better coverage. But the cost of premiums, deductibles and copays are a fundamental part of everyone’s health insurance decisions. And studies show cost is one of the biggest reasons many low-income people don’t get needed care. Born’s claim also ignores the tens of thousands of uninsured who would be able to get largely free coverage through an expanded Medicaid. And experts say access to health care providers is generally similar between Medicaid and private-sector plans, though some specialists are more difficult to find under Medicaid.