25 million people lost Medicaid after the COVID-19 pandemic — and state policies shaped who stayed covered

25 million people lost Medicaid after the COVID-19 pandemic — and state policies shaped who stayed covered

Medicaid enrollment surged during the COVID-19 pandemic. SDI Productions/E+ via Getty ImagesDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of people covered by Medicaid rose month after month – an unusual pattern for the government’s insurance program for people with low incomes and disabilities. Why? A policy of continuous coverage during the pandemic essentially halted Medicaid disenrollment to make it easier for people to stay insured during the p…