As COVID protections end, patients classified as ‘medically needy’ fear new barriers to care

Around 7 million people are likely at risk of being kicked off Medicaid due the end of pandemic-era benefits, according to early estimates from federal officials. (Getty Images) Courtney Blake and her 10-year-old daughter live on their own in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Both of them struggle with chronic mental health issues and have been using Medicaid to help pay for their behavioral…