/ Categories: Research, Health Care

Economic Commentary - The State of Medicaid in Florida

IN PAST ECONOMIC DOWNTURNS, SOCIAL SAFETY NET PROGRAMS HAVE PERFORMED AS LARGE STABILIZERS to support vulnerable populations during times of financial distress. Yet as the past year has shown, the COVID-19 pandemic has placed an unprecedented strain on the country’s safety net system. In particular, Medicaid—which provides health insurance to low-income families, children, and disabled individuals—has faced difficulty accommodating the growing wave of enrollments. Even as the economic recovery begins to take form in Florida, the challenges confronting the state’s Medicaid system will remain a forefront issue. For this reason, it is important to understand how Florida’s Medicaid program has fared during the public health emergency and what economic challenges lie ahead as the state goes forward in recovery.

COVID-19 AND MEDICAID’S SURGING ENROLLMENT

Medicaid operates in a countercyclical manner—during times of economic downturn, enrollment and spending increase even as public revenues tend to fall. Alternatively, when the economy is growing, fewer people enroll in the program and spending declines. Throughout large scale recessions, as seen over the past year, growing unemployment precedes a subsequent rise in Medicaid enrollment as individuals lose their source of income, and in many cases, their employer sponsored insurance. For every percentage point increase in national unemployment, an estimated one million more people enroll in Medicaid. For Florida, the state’s economy lost 1.1 million jobs throughout 2020, hitting a peak unemployment rate of 14.2 percent. Medicaid enrollment quickly followed.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, Medicaid enrollment in Florida has risen by 885,000, or about 23.5 percent. As of February 2021 (latest data available), enrollment stood at 4.6 million. According to the Office of Economic and Demographic Research (EDR), Medicaid enrollment is expected to continue climbing in the year ahead, eventually leveling off in 2022 due to a gradual labor market recovery as workers reclaim more jobs. Yet at the moment, enrollment appears to be steadily increasing.

Documents to download

Previous Article Every Child a Swimmer
Next Article Florida’s Proposed Privacy Protection Act
Print
3411
0Upvote 0Downvote
«July 2025»
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
30123456
78
The Potential Impacts of New Tariffs on Florida’s Economy

The Potential Impacts of New Tariffs on Florida’s Economy

On April 2nd, 2025, a universal 10 percent tariff on all countries was announced by the federal government, with a few countries facing additional reciprocal tariffs of up to 50 percent. A week after the announcement, due to intense volatility in the bond market, a 90-day suspension on the tariffs was announced, with the exception of a 145 percent tariff on certain Chinese goods.

 

Read more
910
How Childcare Costs Impact Florida’s Economy

How Childcare Costs Impact Florida’s Economy

The impact of childcare, as the data suggest, is prominent on Florida’s economy. Losses incurred from turnover and absenteeism of working parents can be avoided with friendlier workplace policies and higher investment in affordable childcare. As an important part of the industry, treating childcare workers better financially can help maintain the workforce in childcare and add to the economy of Florida. Impactful measures that can alleviate the pressing childcare issues mentioned can further grow Florida’s economy.

Read more
111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
2829
The Census Undercount Limits Florida’s Political Influence

The Census Undercount Limits Florida’s Political Influence

The Census Undercount Hurts Florida’s Political Influence, demonstrates that the 2020 Census missed about 750,000 Floridians — 3.48 % of the population. Correcting that error with U.S. Census Bureau methodology shows the undercount shifted three U.S. House seats nationally: Colorado, Minnesota, and Rhode Island would each lose a seat, while Florida, Tennessee, and Texas would each gain one — raising Florida’s delegation to 29 seats instead of 28.

Read more
3031123
45678910

Archive