4 million fewer children enrolled in Medicaid/CHIP by end-2023 due to pandemic protections' lift, with 70% coverage canceled due to procedural issues.

A Georgetown University report reveals that 4 million fewer children were enrolled in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program at the end of 2023 compared to spring 2023, as pandemic-era protections were lifted. The report estimates that 70% of children's coverage was canceled due to procedural issues, such as difficulties navigating state websites, reaching someone via a help line, or not receiving renewal notices. The study suggests that states need to improve outreach to prevent disenrollment due to red tape rather than ineligibility.