Trump Voters, Republicans Oppose Medicaid Funding Cuts

Most People who voted for President Donald Trump oppose proposed cuts to Medicaid funding, in accordance with a ballot launched Friday. 

As Congress considers adjustments to the Medicaid program throughout finances conversations, a ballot from the Kaiser Household Basis discovered that fewer than 1 in 5 adults (17%) wish to see authorities lower spending on Medicaid. 

A joint federal and state program, Medicaid helps cowl medical prices for residents with restricted earnings and sources, in accordance with the Division of Well being and Human Companies web site. The federal authorities supplies basic guidelines, however eligibility necessities and advantages differ from state to state as a result of every state runs its personal program. 

The administration ought to “cherish and love Medicaid,” as Trump has promised, however not with out a number of reforms, in accordance with Nina Owcharenko Schaefer, the director for the Heart of Well being and Welfare Coverage at The Heritage Basis. Any program with 80 million enrollees that prices taxpayers practically $1 trillion per 12 months warrants scrutiny, Schaefer mentioned in a current op-ed in MSN. 

“Simply because it serves low-income people doesn’t imply that it shouldn’t have correct oversight and common assessment,” Schaefer wrote. “If something, Medicaid deserves extra assessment to enhance its integrity and guarantee it serves those that want it most. Medicaid advocates ought to applaud efforts to convey better oversight, accountability, and transparency to this system.” 

In response to the Kaiser ballot, a plurality of Republicans and Trump voters of all events (43%) mentioned they wish to see authorities spending for Medicaid stored about the identical, whereas 42% of complete respondents mentioned they need Medicaid spending elevated. Solely 9% of complete respondents needed spending to lower “so much,” and eight% needed it to lower “a little bit.” 

A big portion of independents sided with Republicans, with 46% in favor of protecting spending about the identical. Democrats favored Medicaid, with 63% in help of accelerating authorities spending on this system, 31% wanting spending stored the identical, and solely 5% in favor of reducing spending. 

Majorities throughout all partisan teams mentioned they suppose proposed cuts to Medicaid are extra about decreasing general authorities spending than about enhancing how this system works for folks.   

Majorities throughout all teams additionally mentioned Medicaid is “considerably essential” or “essential” to their communities, with about 3 in 4 (73%) of complete respondents saying it’s “essential.”  

Whereas greater than half (53%) mentioned they or a member of the family had been lined by Medicaid, most People confirmed confusion about whom this system advantages. Sixty-two % incorrectly answered that almost all working-age adults who’ve Medicaid are unemployed. Most working-age adults receiving Medicaid are employed, in accordance with the Kaiser Household Basis. 

Greater than half (62%) these surveyed supported work necessities for able-bodied folks on Medicaid, a measure that Republican congressmen have instructed to enhance the system, with about 8 in 10 (82%) of Republicans in help of the requirement. Forty-seven % of Democrats and 60% of independents additionally supported work necessities.