Medicaid, a joint federal and state program, provides healthcare coverage to low-income individuals and families. Montgomery County soon will be affected by the withdrawal of Medicaid benefits for numerous residents. 

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government declared a public health emergency, which facilitated expanded access to Medicaid coverage and ensured essential healthcare services for many vulnerable populations. However, with the recent termination of this emergency declaration, the future of Medicaid coverage for numerous residents in the county is still unclear.

During the pandemic, Medicaid automatically renewed for the 210,000 MoCo residents who were using the program. But with the end of the federal declaration of a public health emergency due to COVID-19, eligibility checks for the healthcare service have been reintroduced.  

“All Medicaid recipients are going to have to go through a redetermination process,” Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich said during his weekly briefing. According to WTOP, even though 50 percent of Montgomery County residents have had their healthcare automatically renewed, as 17,000 may lose their Medicaid benefits.

The county’s decision was prompted by a combination of factors, including a significant reduction in federal funding due to the cut of enhanced funding during the pandemic and mounting budget constraints. As Medicaid expenses continued to rise, Montgomery County found itself unable to sustain the financial burden of supporting the program adequately. “While I understand the reasoning behind this reevaluation for eligibility, it is definitely scary for families who have been relying on Medicaid heavily these past few years,” senior Jessica Sun said.

The limitation of Medicaid support will have severe consequences for the county’s most vulnerable residents, including low-income families, individuals with disabilities and the elderly. These populations heavily rely on Medicaid to access vital medical services, including doctor visits, prescription medications and hospital care.

Students at RM have expressed deep concerns about the impact of this decision. “This could have terrible effects on the future of Montgomery County. These entities often lack the resources to fill the widening healthcare gap, leaving vulnerable residents with limited alternatives for affordable healthcare,” junior Joy Jiang said.

However, there are secondary options for residents. “That’s not to say that they cannot transition into a qualified health plan or to a county safety-net program,” Yvonne Iscandari, a senior administrator with the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, told WTOP. Those who are no longer eligible for Medicaid coverage may still be qualified for private or county safety net programs for the uninsured.

Many Montgomery County community members, including RM students, hope to seek solutions to mitigate possible adverse effects on residents.. “Our ultimate goal should be ensuring that every individual, regardless of their income level, has access to the healthcare services they need to lead healthy and productive lives,” Jiang said.

In the coming months, the impact of the limitation of Medicaid support in Montgomery County will become more apparent. “It is crucial that all policymakers collaborate to address the immediate healthcare needs of the affected population and to advocate for sustainable, long-term solutions to bridge the healthcare gap,” Sun said.

More information on Maryland Health Connection coverage and on whether residents may need to switch from Medicaid to private coverage can be found at the Maryland Health Connection website. To find out how to renew Medicaid benefits or to check one’s status, visit the Maryland Department of Human Services website.