Why Millions of Americans Face Loss of Medicaid Benefits
Ask Students: How many people in the U.S. currently rely on Medicaid? Who will be effected by the end of the emergency expansion of Medicaid?
Summary
Before the pandemic, people had to re-enroll for Medicaid every year by submitting paperwork. That was suspended when COVID hit, but starting this month, Medicaid recipients have to make sure they are enrolled again. Not everyone will receive a notice or complete the applications on time and many will fall through the cracks due to changing addresses or language barriers.
For a transcript of this story, click here.
Key Term
medicaid - A federal program that provides health insurance for qualifying low-income individuals and families. Learn more about medicaid here.
Discussion Questions
- How many people in the U.S. currently rely on Medicaid, according to this story?
- Who will be effected by the end of the emergency expansion of Medicaid?
- What is the original reason for suspending rules about re-enrolling every year?
- When did the emergency rules for Medicaid begin, and when are they set to end?
- Why will many fail to re-enroll, according to this story?
Focus Questions
This story identifies knowledge of the process of re-enrollment as one of the major barriers for many keeping Medicaid. Why do you think this barrier exists, and what do you think is the best way to make sure those eligible are able to enroll?
Media Literacy: Do you think this story makes it clear why people aren’t automatically enrolled without having to reapply periodically?
Extension Activity
As a class, read this article and discuss the lead story of Kelly Oldfield. Based on what you now know about Medicaid, what do you think would be the best way to make sure Oldfield continues to get the medicine she needs?
Republished with permission from PBS NewsHour Classroom.
PBS NewsHour Classroom helps teachers and students identify the who, what, where and why-it-matters of the major national and international news stories.
Advertisement
