Just 14% of voters consider the GOP’s budget framework to be a “cut” of Medicaid after learning about current projected spending compared to the proposed projections.
WHY IT MATTERS
The GOP is expected to mark-up the health portions of the spending bill this week and finalize their proposed changes to Medicaid and other health programs. Democrats are accusing Republicans of “cutting” Medicaid to pay for tax cuts.
HOW TO USE THIS DATA
Medicaid reform advocates should be aggressive in describing the GOP’s Medicaid reforms as “increasing” or “slowing the growth” of Medicaid spending and push back against the idea that these are cuts, using the spending data to prove their point.
Click on the image below to read the full report…or read the summary below.
Not A Cut
- Given information about current Medicaid spending projections, and the projections under the GOP budget framework, just 14% would say the GOP’s budget “cuts” Medicaid spending. This result is consistent across demographic groups.
- 30% of voters would say the GOP’s budget framework “increases Medicaid spending” while 35% would say it “slows the growth of Medicaid spending.”
- Target voters, including “Trump Persuadable” voters (those who approve of Trump policies but did not choose the GOP candidate on the generic ballot for Congress) are even less likely to consider the GOP’s budget a “cut” of Medicaid.
Flashback – Support for Work Requirements, Other Reforms in Medicaid
- Our March national poll revealed significant support for many proposed reforms to Medicaid.
- 78% of voters support work requirements for safety net programs, including Medicaid. This includes 89% of Republicans, 75% of independents, and 70% of Democrats. It also includes 66% of Americans on Medicaid and 70% of Americans who have received welfare benefits the past year.
- 53% would consider lower spending levels due to work requirements as safety net program “savings.” 25% would consider it to be safety net program “cuts.”
- Other reforms that fix funding loopholes and prioritize Medicaid dollars for the neediest Americans also receive majority support.
- For instance, 66% support prioritizing federal Medicaid dollars for poorer states, so funding per person in poverty is more equal across states. 59% support matching federal Medicaid funding for able-bodied adults to the lower rates for children, pregnant women, seniors, and people with disabilities.
- 61% would consider spending reductions from reforms like these to be Medicaid “savings.” 19% say they would be Medicaid “cuts.”