TL/DR –
Approximately 900,000 Americans have been disenrolled from Medicaid in California over the past two years in an ongoing nationwide process following the expansion of coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data from nonprofit health policy research organization KFF shows that in March 2023, 14,285,643 people were covered by Medicaid in California, decreasing to 13,392,566 by March 2025. There are growing concerns about this trend leading to more uninsured individuals, potentially worsening health outcomes, increasing strain on emergency services, and driving up medical costs.
California Health Care Plan Disenrollment Affects Thousands
Over two years, approximately 900,000 people have been disenrolled from a California health care plan, according to data from health policy research nonprofit, KFF. This large-scale disenrollment is part of a nationwide process occurring after the expansion of Medicaid coverage in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Implications of Health Care Disenrollment
The large drop in Medicaid enrollment, particularly in heavily populated states like California, raises concerns about the increasing number of uninsured Americans. This situation could lead to worsening health outcomes, higher demand on emergency services, and escalating medical costs. Critics argue that the “One Big Beautiful Bill” passed by President Donald Trump could exacerbate this situation with its cuts in funding and focus on “waste, fraud and abuse” within Medicaid.
The Current Status of Medicaid Coverage in California
According to KFF data, Medicaid covered 14,285,643 people in California in March 2023, but by March 2025, the number dropped to 13,392,566. This decline is partly due to states’ expanded Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) during the pandemic, which increased enrollment levels nationwide. Federal rules allowed states to retain most Medicaid enrollees even when their eligibility status changed until March 2023, when states began to roll recipients off the program.
The Variation in State-wide Medicaid Coverage
Michael Sparer, Professor and Chair of the Department of Health Policy and Management at Columbia University, suggests that the varied rates of Medicaid coverage reductions across states can be attributed to different eligibility review strategies. Texas and Florida promptly declared beneficiaries who did not respond to review notices as ineligible, while New York and California were more deliberative, resulting in fewer eligibility losses.
Concerns about Disenrollment from Medicaid
As Sparer explains, “Medicaid enrollment surged during the pandemic due to increased unemployment and the inability to recertify beneficiary eligibility until the ‘public health emergency’ was declared over. Concerns arise when eligible persons lose coverage, leading to poor health outcomes and the inequity caused by variations in state Medicaid eligibility reviews.”
Future Reductions in Medicaid Enrollment
As the disenrollment process continues, more reductions in Medicaid enrollment are expected both in California and nationwide. With millions having already lost health coverage, concerns persist about the accessibility and affordability of care for low-income individuals and families.
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