Bucks County saw its first decrease in Medicaid enrollment for children in ten years, despite the growing need, according to a new Children First Pa report, writes Chris Ullery for the Bucks County Courier Times.
The number of children enrolled in Medicaid peaked at 46,708 in 2023. By 2024, this had dropped to 39,091 – a decline of 7,617 children driven more by complicated re-enrollment rules than a decrease in need.
“For many families, the complexity of re-enrollment requirements – such as submitting digital documents or meeting strict deadlines – proved insurmountable,” reads the report.
Medicaid data for Bucks County shows a steady rise, with about 16,243 more children enrolled from 2013 to 2023. Nearly half of this was in the first three years after re-enrollment requirements were suspended during the pandemic.
These requirements were reinstated in April 2023, which, along with new federal rules, most likely caused enrollment to revert to almost pre-pandemic totals.
According to the report, the change had a disproportionate impact on low-income households, families with limited internet access, and individuals with limited English proficiency.
Read more about Bucks County Medicaid enrollment in the Bucks County Courier Times.
