Health & medicine. (Credit: Husha Naidoo Jade Photography/Unsplash)
Bucks County experienced its first decline in children enrolled in Medicaid in more than 10 years, according to a new report from Children First Pa.
According to a report from PhillyBurbs.com, after reaching a peak of 46,708 children enrolled in 2023, the number dropped to 39,091 in 2024 — a reduction of 7,617 children.
The report attributes the decline not to a decrease in need, but rather to the complexity of Medicaid’s re-enrollment process.
Per the article, many families struggled to navigate digital document submissions and strict deadlines, leading to an enrollment drop. These challenges were particularly difficult for families with low-income households, limited internet access, or limited English proficiency.
This drop in enrollment follows a steady increase in Medicaid participation from 2013 to 2023, with the most significant growth occurring after the pandemic halted re-enrollment requirements, according to the article. These requirements, known as Medicaid unwinding, were reinstated in April 2023, likely contributing to the reversal of enrollment gains.
The concern is children with health conditions may lose access to critical services as a result of the enrollment drop, risking treatment disruptions and higher out-of-pocket costs. Additionally, about 1,500 children in Bucks County were removed from Medicaid due to failure to renew, according to the article. Census data also suggests 2,291 children in the county remain uninsured.
The findings come on the heels of a recent U.S. House of Representatives budget bill that proposes cuts to Medicaid and other relief programs. In response, Children First recommended state-level reforms to improve coverage for children, including expanding preventative care, increasing access to mental health services, and focusing on providing insurance for uninsured children.
