Many states with high census undercounts will not receive their fair share of Medicaid funding. But states can still inform federal funding distribution by engaging in new census review programs.
Estimated miscounts in total population by state, 2020 Census
States losing out on rightful share of Medicaid funding over the next decade
While the Census Bureau has not released official state-by-state quality assessments yet, an innovative quality check by the Urban Institute suggests there was variation in the accuracy of counts by state. Undercounts (and overcounts) affect state and federal political representation and funding for necessities such as infrastructure, children’s programs, and health care. Mississippi, Georgia, and Louisiana had among the highest rates of undercount, causing their residents to lose out on $20 million, $47 million, and $46 million in annual Medicaid funding, respectively.1
States and localities have an opportunity to improve this data, which will inform federal funding distribution for the next 10 years, by actively engaging in the Count Question Resolution program and the new Post Census Group Quarters Review. These programs allow tribal, state, and local governments to identify and submit evidence of omissions or mistakes in the 2020 Census to correct the count for federal funds.2,3
“Exploring the 2020 Census’s Accuracy and Utility”. Elliott, Martin, Shakespeare, and Kelly. The Urban Institute. November, 2021. https://www.urban.org/policy-centers/center-labor-human-services-and-population/projects/exploring-2020-censuss-accuracy-and-utility
“Open: Comments on proposed 2020 Post-Census Group Quarters Review”. Tippett. UNC at Chapel Hill. January, 2022. https://www.ncdemography.org/2022/01/14/open-comments-on-proposed-2020-post-census-group-quarters-review/
“2020 Census Count Question Resolution & Population Estimates Challenge Programs: Opportunities for Improving Postcensal Population Estimates”. Lee, Naughton, and Brumfield. Georgetown Center on Poverty and Inequality. May, 2021. https://www.georgetownpoverty.org/issues/2020-census-count-question-resolution-population-estimates-challenge-programs/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=2020-census-count-question-resolution-population-estimates-challenge-programs