Medicaid Enrollment to Reach 100 Million, Nearly One-Third of Americans

A new report predicts that Medicaid enrollment will surpass 100 million within the next few years.

According to a new project by the Foundation for Government Accountability, the milestone will be achieved within the next 75-days.

“For years, FGA has been warning about the rising number of people on government welfare programs. Now, we’re nearing a grim milestone — nearly one-third of the country will be on Medicaid,” said Hayden Dublois FGA Data and Analytics director

As Americans count down to the new New Year, we have our eye on another countdown…

100 million people on Medicaid within 75 days. This is unacceptable and the clock continues to tick.

SEE IT IN REALTIME https://t.co/Y2tR94L2ac #medicaid #health #work pic.twitter.com/w8jCftjpCw

— The FGA (@TheFGA) December 29, 2022

“Our research and data show as welfare enrollment increases, workforce participation decreases. We’re in the midst of a nationwide workforce crisis, yet the Biden administration is pushing policies to entice people into government dependency at record levels while limiting opportunities to achieve the America Dream,” He added.

The non-profit group explained in a press release that the rapid growth in enrollment is primarily due to the federal government’s continued extension of the COVID-19 public health emergency. The emergency remains in effect. However, the states are eligible for additional Medicaid funding provided that all enrolled remain locked into the program.

FGA reported that the program has brought 24 million additional Americans into Medicaid. This includes over 21 million people who are not eligible for Medicaid because they make too much or are otherwise ineligible.

“The pandemic-era policy keeping more than 21 million ineligible enrollees on Medicaid is costing taxpayers more than $16 billion per month. Despite the recently enacted legislation allowing states to redetermine eligibility beginning in April, the Biden administration is slow walking the process and hoping states will be sluggish to act,” Dublois spoke in the press release.

“In approximately 76 days, 100 million people will be on Medicaid. States should begin preparing now so that they can remove the millions of ineligible enrollees and reclaim program integrity as quickly as possible,” He concluded.

Since November 39 states and Washington, D.CThe. have approved Medicaid expansion, which allows more low-income individuals to be eligible. Additional incentives were provided by the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021 to encourage further expansion.

The Biden administration has highlighted Medicaid expansion as a major reason for the nation’s uninsured rate falling to a record low of 8% this year. Approximately 5.2 million people – including 4.1 million adults ages 18-64 and 1 million children ages 0-17 – have gained health coverage since 2020, according to an August report By the Department of Health and Human Services.

In its entirety, the agency acknowledged. report Administration data starting in 2021 or early 2022 “show a record-high number of people with coverage related to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) – with more than 35 million people estimated to be enrolled in the Medicaid expansion, Basic Health Program, or Marketplace coverage.”

In order to receive a 6.2% rise in their Federal Medical Assistance Percentage, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 (FFCRA) required that states suspend Medicaid eligibility terminations beginning in March 2020 and keep coverage for almost all existing enrollees. The report stated that continuous coverage was required. “primary driver” The reasons behind Medicaid growth during the pandemic.