15 Million Americans Could Lose Medical Coverage As Public Health Emergency Expires

by M.C. Millman

As of January 11, an estimated 15 million Americans could lose health coverage when the ongoing state of the emergency declaration that persisted over the past three years is set to expire. 

Millions of Americans who have benefited from congressional legislation passed in 2020 preventing disenrollment for the duration of the COVID pandemic will be disqualified from the continuous coverage of Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) as regular income requirements and restrictions apply going forward. Seniors will also be affected, as will those on disability.

Although January 11 is the tentative termination date, an extension is possible as White House officials committed to giving 60 days notice before making the termination date official. But an extension only delays the inevitable, which is that millions of uninsured Americans will be left out in the cold when it comes to the national healthcare system, all desperate to find affordable insurance, with many going without coverage altogether due to the high costs.

The high volume of newly uninsured patients may cause further cost increases in doctor visits and emergency room care, where visits are expected to skyrocket for the uninsured. The higher healthcare costs will get passed on to other patients.

Consumers who don’t qualify for subsidized plans should shop around, keeping in mind that a plan with a high deductible is usually the most affordable. Another helpful hint is that children no longer eligible for Medicaid can go on a parent’s plan until age 26.

Photo Credit: Flickr