Medicaid, the nation’s largest health insurance program, currently provides free or low-cost coverage to over 83 million Americans. However, the expiration of pandemic-era continuous coverage protections, known as “the great unwinding,” has put millions at risk of losing their healthcare.
As of now, approximately 23 million people, including 3 million children, have either lost or stand to lose their Medicaid coverage due to the end of these protections. Alarmingly, 69 percent of those who have been or will be disenrolled are not losing coverage because they are ineligible but because of paperwork and procedural technicalities. This means that a significant number of individuals who should still be covered are falling through the cracks due to administrative challenges rather than actual changes in their eligibility.
The unwinding has sparked urgent calls to expand Medicaid and close the coverage gap, particularly in states that have not yet expanded their programs under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Expanding Medicaid is seen as one of the most effective ways to increase coverage rates and achieve health equity, especially in the wake of the ongoing disenrollments.
Despite the clear benefits of Medicaid expansion, 10 states—mostly in the South—continue to opt out of expanding their programs. These states are home to some of the nation’s most severe health inequities, with many residents unable to access the care they need.
This week, healthcare advocates and policymakers gathered to discuss how to strengthen Medicaid to ensure equitable health coverage for all. The focus was on on urging states to act swiftly to close the coverage gap that disproportionately affects communities of color and other vulnerable populations.
As the unwinding continues, the stakes are high for millions of Americans who rely on Medicaid for their health and well-being. The actions taken in the coming months will be critical in determining whether these individuals retain access to the care they need or face the devastating consequences of losing coverage.
