The Medicaid unwinding process in Florida has come under intense scrutiny following a recent court hearing. A panel of federal judges from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit grilled an attorney representing the DeSantis administration over the state’s handling of Medicaid disenrollments post-pandemic.
The case stems from a lawsuit filed in Jacksonville in 2026, alleging that Florida’s termination notices were vague, confusing, and often incorrect. The lawsuit, brought by the Florida Health Justice Project and the National Health Law Program seeks to address the erroneous termination of benefits for thousands of Floridians.
Judges Express Skepticism Over Medicaid Notices
During the hearing, judges Adalberto JordanBarbara Lagoa and Robin Rosenbaum expressed significant concerns about the state’s approach. Judge Jordan remarked, “This is pretty bad,” in response to the state’s argument that the termination notices met minimum due-process requirements.
The state’s attorney, Andy Bardos argued that the notices provided the necessary information, including the intended action, the date of termination, and the reason for the action. However, Judge Jordan questioned whether additional details, such as income thresholds and eligibility criteria, should have been included.
Judge Lagoa emphasized the importance of meaningful notice stating, “You cannot be heard if you don’t know what you’re objecting to.” She highlighted that the notices should clearly outline the basis for income determinations to allow beneficiaries to challenge the decisions effectively.
Judge Rosenbaum also questioned the state’s reluctance to provide detailed information, asking, “What is the whole point of hiding this information?” This sentiment underscored the judges’ collective skepticism about the state’s approach.
The Medicaid Unwinding Process and Its Impact
Medicaid, a joint state-federal program, saw increased funding during the COVID-19 pandemic. The federal government contributed an additional 6.2% to support continuous eligibility. However, this requirement ended on March 31, 2026 allowing states to resume normal operations and reassess eligibility.
Florida initiated its Medicaid unwinding process on April 1, 2026 leading to the reassessment of over 4 million beneficiaries by the following year. The process resulted in the termination of benefits for hundreds of thousands of individuals, prompting the lawsuit.
In 2026, the lawsuit was certified as a class action, and in 2026, U.S. District Judge Monica Morales Howard issued a 273-page ruling that found the state’s termination letters to be in violation of federal law. The ruling described the notices as vague, confusing, and often incorrect and misleading.
The outcome of this appeal could have significant implications for the Florida Department of Children and Families and the beneficiaries affected by the Medicaid unwinding process. As the case progresses, the focus remains on ensuring that Medicaid notices provide clear and actionable information to recipients.
