Upcoming changes in Medicaid coverage and policy could take a toll on districts and the families they serve, education policy experts and advocates say. Much of the expected coverage loss will be due to administrative churn and impact district reimbursements as well as overall student health and attendance.

Medicaid eligibility rates impact school-based Medicaid reimbursement as well as how districts certify students as qualifying for free-and-reduced lunch in some states. If fewer students suddenly qualify for Medicaid, this will directly impact district finances.

Medicaid is the third or fourth largest federal revenue stream for school systems, according to the Medicaid in Schools Coalition.

Students with less access to healthcare are also more likely to be chronically absent and rely on limited school-based health services instead. 

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