REAL TALK

HEALTH AND WELLNESS NEWS

Alarming Figures Reveal Hundreds of Thousands Losing Medicaid Coverage Amidst Policy Changes

ByAlki David

Jun 12, 2023

Recent data obtained from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) has unveiled a deeply concerning reality: over 728,000 individuals have lost their Medicaid coverage since the expiration of the COVID-19 related continuous enrollment provision in March. While this analysis only encompasses 13 states and the District of Columbia, it is believed to underestimate the true scale of coverage loss due to the lack of publicly available data from many states.

The KFF warns that as many as 17 million people could potentially be affected by the end of this policy, which was implemented during the Trump administration in 2020. The consequences of this abrupt change in Medicaid enrollment requirements are profound, both for the individuals directly impacted and for the healthcare system at large.

The KFF’s analysis focuses on 13 states and the District of Columbia, which provide data on Medicaid disenrollments. However, it is crucial to recognize that this figure does not represent the entire nation, as numerous states have yet to report their Medicaid disenrollment numbers. Therefore, the actual number of individuals losing Medicaid coverage is expected to be considerably higher.

The continuous enrollment provision, implemented in 2020, aimed to provide stable healthcare coverage during the public health emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This policy ensured that Medicaid recipients would remain enrolled throughout the crisis. However, with the expiration of this provision, states are no longer obligated to maintain continuous coverage, leading to a surge in disenrollments.

The impact of losing Medicaid coverage is far-reaching, affecting not only the individuals directly impacted but also the healthcare system as a whole. Medicaid serves as a vital safety net for low-income individuals and families, offering essential healthcare services such as doctor visits, hospital stays, prescription medications, and preventive care. Without this coverage, individuals may face significant financial burdens and barriers to accessing necessary medical treatment.

Furthermore, the termination of Medicaid coverage can have severe repercussions on public health. Individuals who lose their coverage may delay or forgo essential medical care, leading to worsened health outcomes and increased strain on emergency departments. The ripple effects of this coverage loss can also extend to healthcare providers, who may experience financial challenges due to uncompensated care.

The significant number of individuals losing their Medicaid coverage is a cause for alarm. With an estimated 17 million people potentially impacted, it is crucial to recognize the urgency of this issue. The termination of the continuous enrollment provision during a time when the nation continues to grapple with the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbates the situation.

Addressing this issue requires a comprehensive and coordinated effort from federal, state, and local authorities. It is imperative to consider the long-term implications and find sustainable solutions to ensure that vulnerable populations do not suffer further due to lack of access to essential healthcare services.

In conclusion, the abrupt end to the COVID-19 related continuous enrollment provision has already resulted in over 728,000 individuals losing their Medicaid coverage. The true magnitude of coverage loss is yet to be fully realized, as many states have not reported their disenrollment figures. The potential for 17 million people to lose their Medicaid coverage underscores the need for immediate change.

By Alki David

Alki David — Publisher, Media Architect, SIN Network Creator - live, direct-to-public communication, media infrastructure, accountability journalism, and independent distribution. Born in Lagos, Nigeria; educated in the United Kingdom and Switzerland; attended the Royal College of Art. Early internet broadcaster — participated in real-time public coverage during the 1997 Mars landing era using experimental online transmission from Beverly Hills. Founder of FilmOn, one of the earliest global internet television networks offering live and on-demand broadcasting outside legacy gatekeepers. Publisher of SHOCKYA — reporting since 2010 on systemic corruption inside the entertainment business and its expansion into law, finance, and regulation. Creator of the SIN Network (ShockYA Integrated Network), a federated media and civic-information infrastructure spanning investigative journalism, live TV, documentary, and court-record reporting. Lived and worked for over 40 years inside global media hubs including Malibu, Beverly Hills, London, Hong Kong and Gstaad. Early encounter with Julian Assange during the first Hologram USA operations proved a formative turning point — exposing the realities of lawfare, information suppression, and concentrated media power. Principal complainant and driving force behind what court filings describe as the largest consolidated media–legal accountability action on record, now before the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court. Relocated to Antigua & Barbuda and entered sustained legal, civic, and informational confrontation over media power, safeguarding, and accountability at Commonwealth scale.