About Medicaid Awareness Month
Every April, Medicaid Awareness Month shines a light on the health care program that covers nearly 70 million Americans — and rallies the nation to protect it.
About Medicaid Awareness Month
Medicaid Awareness Month was launched in April 2018 by Protect Our Care, a leading health care advocacy organization. The campaign was created in response to the first major legislative attempts to gut Medicaid and strip coverage from millions of Americans.
Now in its ninth year, Medicaid Awareness Month has grown into a nationwide effort that brings together patients, families, health care providers, advocacy organizations, and elected officials to educate the public about Medicaid and defend it from political attacks.
Every April, the campaign organizes events, shares stories, publishes research, and mobilizes communities across the country to stand up for the health care safety net that protects our most vulnerable neighbors.
Campaign History
First Medicaid Awareness Month launched by Protect Our Care
Focus on Medicaid expansion and state-level advocacy
Highlighted Medicaid's role during the COVID-19 pandemic
Advocacy for expanded coverage and the public health emergency
Protecting continuous enrollment provisions
Fighting Medicaid unwinding and disenrollment crisis
Defending against proposed work requirements and caps
Eighth annual campaign — fighting $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid
Ninth annual campaign — defending Medicaid against ongoing threats
About Medicaid
Medicaid is a joint federal and state health insurance program that provides coverage to low-income Americans. Created in 1965 alongside Medicare, Medicaid has grown to become one of the largest health care programs in the nation, covering nearly 70 million people across every state and territory.
Children
~40 million
Low-Income Adults
~14 million
Pregnant Women
42% of births
People with Disabilities
~10 million
Seniors
~7 million
Rural Communities
Thousands of facilities
What Does Medicaid Cover?
About Protect Our Care
Protect Our Care is a national health care advocacy campaign dedicated to making quality, affordable health care available to every American. Since its founding, the organization has been at the forefront of the fight to defend and expand health coverage.
Protect Our Care works with a broad coalition of patients, providers, advocates, and community organizations to hold lawmakers accountable and ensure that health care remains accessible to the people who need it most.
The organization leads Medicaid Awareness Month each April and runs year-round campaigns to educate the public, counter misinformation, and mobilize communities to protect the health care safety net.
Visit Protect Our CareEducate
Publishing research, fact sheets, and stories that help Americans understand their health care and the threats it faces.
Mobilize
Organizing events, rallies, and campaigns that empower communities to speak up and hold elected officials accountable.
Advocate
Working with lawmakers, health care providers, and advocacy partners to pass policies that protect and expand coverage.
Defend
Fighting back against legislative attacks, misinformation, and political threats to Medicaid, the ACA, and Medicare.
The Fight of a Generation
The 2026 Medicaid Awareness Month campaign comes at a critical moment. Republicans have passed a reconciliation bill that cuts $1 trillion from Medicaid to fund tax breaks for billionaires and corporations. The stakes have never been higher.
What Is at Stake
April 2026 Weekly Themes
Hospitals & Health Facilities
Focusing on the 370+ hospitals and nearly 800 total health facilities that could close due to Medicaid cuts, devastating rural communities and urban safety-net systems alike.
Learn more Week 2 · April 7-12Women & Families
Highlighting how Medicaid covers over 40% of births, supports working families, and provides essential health care for mothers and children across the country.
Learn more Week 3 · April 14-19People with Disabilities
Spotlighting Medicaid's role as the primary funder of home and community-based services that allow millions of people with disabilities to live independently.
Learn more Week 4 · April 21-26Seniors
Examining how Medicaid pays for the majority of nursing home care in America and helps seniors afford critical services that Medicare does not cover.
Learn moreJoin the Fight to Protect Medicaid
68 million Americans depend on Medicaid. Add your voice to the movement and help us protect health care for the people who need it most.