Millions kicked off Medicaid remain uninsured, survey finds

A year after 20 million Americans were booted from Medicaid, millions remain without any form of health insurance, a new survey found.

After pandemic-era changes to Medicaid were dropped last year, nearly 20 million Americans were removed from the program, KFF reported in a new survey.

According to KFF, 23% of those who were dropped by Medicaid remain uninsured. The survey found that 47% were able to re-enroll in the health care program, while another 28% were able to find insurance elsewhere. 

Prior to last year's changes, according to Medicaid, 82.5 million Americans used the program. Low-income families, qualified pregnant women, children, and individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income are automatically eligible for Medicaid. 

Depending on the state, those making less than 133% of the federal poverty level could also be eligible for the program.

For several years following the pandemic's start, states were prohibited from kicking anyone off Medicaid. After the federal government ended the COVID-19 emergency last year, states could purge ineligible people starting April 1, 2023. Inevitably, many who were eligible temporarily lost coverage.