In a prior commentary, we examined the impact of Covid-19 on enrollment in Medicaid, the joint federal-state health insurance program for eligible individuals with limited income and resources. Historically, Medicaid enrollment expands during periods of economic hardship. A weak economy produces more unemployment, more people without work-related medical insurance, more people with lower household incomes, and more people who meet eligibility requirements for health insurance coverage through the Medicaid program. In contrast, when the U.S. economy is strong Medicaid enrollment growth tends to slow or even decline.
As in previous economic downturns, the Covid-19 induced recession has precipitated an increase in Medicaid enrollment. And agencies that manage the Medicaid program in each state are forecasting still more enrollment growth in the months ahead. Every region of the U.S. has witnessed growth in its Medicaid enrollment numbers since the Covid-19 pandemic began. In the Rocky Mountain states, Covid-19's impact on Medicaid enrollment has been more severe than in most regions of the country, as enrollment numbers in the five-state region grew 7.1%, as compared to 6.5% nationally, during the first half of 2020. Here's a summary look at the Covid-19's impact on Medicaid enrollment growth in the Rocky Mountain region during the first six months of 2020:
 | ||
| Covid-19's Impact on Medicaid Enrollment in the Rocky Mountain Region |
| Medicaid Enrollment (in 000s) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | July 1, 2020 | Jan 1, 2020 | Growth | ||
| CO | 1,284.2 | 1,204.0 | 6.7% | ||
| ID | 319.0 | 285.4 | 11.8% | ||
| MT | 225.1 | 231.6 | -2.8% | ||
| UT | 305.6 | 271.8 | 12.4% | ||
| WY | 56.3 | 51.8 | 8.7% | ||
| Region | 2,190.2 | 2,044.5 | 7.1% | ||
| National | 68,826.6 | 64,621.4 | 6.5% | ||
Source: Medicaid.gov Enrollment Reports.
