Over the past two years, nearly one million individuals in New York have been dropped from healthcare plans, based on data from KFF, a nonprofit organization specializing in health policy research.
From March 2023 to March 2025, around 930,000 people lost access to the Medicaid program, part of a broader national process of unwinding pandemic-related policies.
New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald commented that the Congressional Budget Settlement Bill poses a significant threat to the health of New Yorkers. He stated that this rollback compromises the stability of healthcare facilities and negatively impacts families, children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities.
While some individuals may have transitioned to other health insurance options, like those offered through employers, many have lost all health coverage, making them more vulnerable. This lack of coverage can lead to increased reliance on emergency services and worsen chronic and mental health issues.
Following the passage of major legislation under President Donald Trump, which aims to alter the Medicaid program, there are predictions that millions may lose their coverage—raising concerns regarding access to healthcare across the country.
Why is this important?
Some have successfully shifted to other insurance forms, but others, unfortunately, have found themselves without any coverage, leaving them at risk.
The fallout from this situation could slow healthcare access, increase emergency service demand, and drive up overall costs, not to mention the potential deterioration of chronic and mental health conditions.
It was only in March 2023 that states were allowed to reverse Medicaid expansions, creating a scenario where many individuals lost their previously secure coverage. In March 2023, approximately 7,518,061 people were enrolled in Medicaid in New York, which fell to about 6,585,835 by March 2025, according to KFF’s data.
In comparison to larger states like Texas and Florida, New York saw a less dramatic decline. Both Texas and Florida had over a million individuals drop out, whereas New York’s numbers were less severe.
While the two-year decline is evident, there’s still a 10% difference in enrollment numbers compared to pre-pandemic figures from 2020, indicating that the program has yet to rebound fully.
One reason for the varied rates of enrollment changes could stem from the fact that states like Texas and Florida haven’t expanded Medicaid, unlike California and New York.
Additionally, there’s often a greater percentage of automatic renewals in states like California and New York, but the bureaucracy involved—like paperwork—can deter some eligible individuals from staying enrolled.
What are experts saying?
Paul Schafer, a professor at Boston University, noted that around five million Americans have lost Medicaid coverage in these four states over two years. He expressed hope that many could find new insurance through the market or their employers as the economy stabilizes.
However, he cautioned that if people remain uninsured, we may witness an increase in the burden on the healthcare system, particularly for those with chronic health conditions like diabetes and hypertension.
What’s next?
As this unwinding process continues, there has been a rise in registrations across the nation, leading to growing concerns about how the rising uninsured population might impact health outcomes.
