The majority of Americans do not want to see any reductions in Medicaid spending and are against the proposed plan to convert the health program to block grant financing in an attempt to reduce the federal deficit, according to a May Kaiser Health Tracking Poll, involving a nationally representative random sample of 1,203 adults.

60% of all the people surveyed want Medicaid to remain as it is – with guaranteed coverage from the federal government and minimum standards set for eligibility and benefits. 35% would like to see states receiving a fixed amount of money from the federal government, with each state deciding what services should be covered and who is covered.

Just 13% favor reducing Medicaid spending to bring the deficit down. While 30% say they would accept minor reduction, 53% are against any reductions whatsoever.

These poll results may encourage some Washington politicians and discourage others. Washington is in the middle of a fierce debate about Medicare and Medicaid – in fact, any entitlement program is currently under the microscope as a possible avenue for saving money.

Approximately half of all US citizens either have a household member or friend who has received Medicaid assistance. Half of those surveyed see Medicaid as important to their family. 20% of adults have had personal coverage experience with Medicaid and they say they are happy with it.

Kaiser President and CEO Drew Altman, said:

“If you watch the debate about the deficit and entitlements, you would think that almost everyone has a problem with the Medicaid program and wants to change it, or cut it – or both. The big surprise in this month’s tracking poll is that one group who does not want to cut Medicaid is the American people.

With about 69 million people expected to be covered by Medicaid this year, it is no longer the -welfare-linked program it once was. Medicaid may not be the lower-hanging fruit that many who want to reduce federal entitlement spending have assumed it is.” “

  • 51% of all Americans say they have some personal connection to Medicaid
  • 20% have received direct Medicaid help
  • 31% say they have a friend or family member who has received Medicaid assistance
  • 49% describe Medicaid as “very” or “somewhat” important to them and their family

71% of those who favor Medicaid say their main reason is, knowing there is a safety net to protect those on low income. Others feel encouraged knowing that Medicaid is there in case they or a family member need the assistance.

Mollyann Brodie, a senior vice president and director of the Public Opinion and Survey Research group at the Kaiser Family Foundation, said:

“Medicaid is a complex program that varies considerably from state to state, but the public’s initial reaction upon hearing about proposed spending reductions and structural changes is negative. Such concerns reflect the fact that the program is important not only to those who have been directly enrolled in it but those with friends and family who have received Medicaid benefits as well.”

  • 86% of recipients of Medicaid benefits describe their experience as “positive”
  • 45% of recipients of Medicaid benefits describe their experience as “very positive”
  • 89% of private health insurance users describe their experience as “positive”
  • 44% of private health insurance users describe their experience as “very positive”

Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Medicaid is set to expand. 81% of respondents said that if they were uninsured, needed medical therapy and had no insurance, and also qualified for Medicaid, they would enroll.

However, some 32% of those who have ever used Medicaid said that at some point, finding a doctor or health care provider willing to accept Medicaid patients was difficult, versus 12% among those with private insurance cover.

“Kaiser Health Tracking Poll”
Kaiser Family Foundation

Written by Christian Nordqvist