As of April 2023, states resumed the process of redetermining Medicaid eligibility, marking the end of pandemic-era protections that paused disenrollments. Over the past several months, more than 25 million people have lost Medicaid coverage, raising concerns about the potential rise in the uninsured rate. However, early data suggests that while there has been a small increase in the uninsured rate, it did not grow as much as expected, partly due to state-level expansions of Medicaid. 

In fact, several states took action to increase health coverage in 2023, offsetting some of the effects of the unwinding. States like North Carolina and South Dakota expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, and Oregon introduced a new Medicaid-like option for those who earn too much to qualify under federal limits. Expansions for children and pregnant women also contributed to maintaining coverage for vulnerable populations. These efforts, while still early, are expected to play a significant role in mitigating the overall impact of disenrollments on the uninsured rate. 

This period of unwinding highlights both the importance of Medicaid as a safety net and the need for continued policy attention. As we monitor the outcomes, maintaining and improving coverage for lower-income individuals remains a top priority for legislators.  

To learn more about how Medicaid unwinding impacted physicians and other key issues, review our Healthcare Advocacy Toolkit.