The number of people enrolled in Medicaid decreased by *** percent in 2025, while expenditure increased by *** percent. In 2026, Medicaid enrollment is projected to increase by *** percent, while the spending is expected to grow by *** percent.
Impact of COVID-19 on Medicaid
Approximately **Ìýpercent of Americans were covered by Medicaid in 2024. The total number of Medicaid enrollees continues to increase each year and it surpassed **Ìý** in 2024. A steadily improving economy in the United States is one reason for the slower enrollment growth experienced in recent years. However, unemployment numbers surged due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Medicaid enrollment is expected to rise over the coming months as millions of people lose their employer-based health insurance.
Medicaid expenditure set to increase
Medicaid expenditure in 2023 was projected to ***Ìý** U.S. dollars, an increase year on year. Medicaid spending rose by *** percent in 2020, but the economic downturn caused by COVID-19 is likely to significantly increase both state and federal expenditures. More people are now eligible for Medicaid because they have lost income, and the costs of coronavirus testing and treatment are escalating. Many states may not have the budget to pay for it all, especially at a time when tax revenues are declining.
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KFF. (November 13, 2025). Change in total Medicaid spending and enrollment from 1998 to 2026 [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 29, 2026, from /statistics/245409/change-in-total-medicaid-spending-and-enrollment-since-1998/
KFF. "Change in total Medicaid spending and enrollment from 1998 to 2026." Chart. November 13, 2025. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 29, 2026. /statistics/245409/change-in-total-medicaid-spending-and-enrollment-since-1998/
KFF. (2025). Change in total Medicaid spending and enrollment from 1998 to 2026. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 29, 2026. /statistics/245409/change-in-total-medicaid-spending-and-enrollment-since-1998/
KFF. "Change in Total Medicaid Spending and Enrollment from 1998 to 2026." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 13 Nov 2025, /statistics/245409/change-in-total-medicaid-spending-and-enrollment-since-1998/
KFF, Change in total Medicaid spending and enrollment from 1998 to 2026 ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/245409/change-in-total-medicaid-spending-and-enrollment-since-1998/ (last visited July 29, 2026)
Change in total Medicaid spending and enrollment from 1998 to 2026 [Graph], KFF, November 13, 2025. [Online]. Available: /statistics/245409/change-in-total-medicaid-spending-and-enrollment-since-1998/
