Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of people enrolled in Medicaid has increased by nearly 20%, with close to 85 million people currently enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP. However, approximately 16 million people – including nearly 7 million children – are expected to lose coverage once the various coverage protections, established by Congress ultimately expire along with the federal public health emergency (PHE) designation. Known as the “continuous coverage” provision (enacted by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act), states are prohibited from disenrolling Medicaid beneficiaries during the PHE. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra recently renewed the PHE effective April 16, 2022 for another 90 days, and has said states will be given at least 60 days notice before its ultimate expiration, meaning the earliest the PHE would end is mid-July of this year. To learn more please visit the NACHC Blog.