As congressional Republicans take into account slashing the federal security internet to fund tax giveaways for the rich, polling printed Thursday by KFF exhibits that a big majority of Individuals oppose cuts to well being packages, together with Medicaid.
The analysis group requested respondents about potential funding cuts for numerous packages, and located that 84% oppose cuts to Social Safety, 79% oppose cuts to Medicare, and 76% oppose cuts to Medicaid, a key goal for the GOP’s tax ambitions.
There may be additionally sturdy opposition to slashing funds for psychological well being and dependancy prevention providers, monitoring infectious illness outbreaks, medical analysis, HIV prevention, and serving to individuals with Reasonably priced Care Act premiums.
Extra opposition to Trump’s anti-middle class agenda in @KFF polling.
84% in opposition to Social Safety cuts as @elonmusk tears it up.
76% in opposition to the Medicaid cuts Trump and congressional Republicans wish to fund tax giveaways to the wealthy.
69% in opposition to ending medical analysis. pic.twitter.com/aPMkhOtb7r
— Andrew Bates (@AndrewBatesNC) May 1, 2025
KFF discovered that 61% typically oppose “main cuts to employees and spending at federal authorities well being companies,” a determine that rose to 72% after respondents heard arguments that the reductions “would negatively influence these companies’ skills to serve the general public.”
Pollsters additionally requested about actions by President Donald Trump’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency, led by billionaire Elon Musk. A majority (54%) stated the administration and DOGE had gone “too far” with cuts at federal well being companies.
Equally, 59% of respondents — together with 92% of Democrats, 65% of Independents, and 18% of Republicans — agreed that “the administration is recklessly making broad cuts to packages and employees, together with some which can be needed for companies to operate.”
Majorities stated they oppose staffing cuts on the Division of Veterans Affairs, Facilities for Medicare and Medicaid Providers, Social Safety Administration, Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention, Meals and Drug Administration, Nationwide Institutes of Well being, and the Division of Well being and Human Providers’ Workplace of Infectious Illness and HIV/AIDS Coverage.
Sharing the ballot on social media, KFF CEO and president Drew Altman stated: “Everybody — Dems, R’s, Independents — are in opposition to large Medicaid cuts. Not likely stunning. What’s: MAGA supporters are divided on reducing Medicaid.”
“As Steve Bannon stated: ‘plenty of MAGAs on Medicaid,’” Altman added, referring to the far-right media government and former Trump adviser.
The truth that so many residents of “purple states” rely on Medicaid could possibly be an issue for GOP leaders attacking this system that gives healthcare for low-income Individuals in hopes of reducing taxes for the wealthy. Some Republicans in each chambers have expressed concern about how main cuts would influence their constituents — and, because of this, their reelection possibilities.
Republicans haven’t been listening to their constituents.
So I’m taking the mic to share tales like Mary’s, a nurse from @RepLisaMcClain‘s district who says that gutting Medicaid can be devastating for her and her autistic son.
We should cease this merciless reconciliation invoice… pic.twitter.com/OnKossi9UB
— Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (@RepPressley) April 30, 2025
Congressman Don Bacon (R-Neb.), a important swing vote within the Home of Representatives, said Tuesday that his “purple line” for Medicaid cuts within the GOP’s reconciliation package deal is $500 billion — a determine that, as Households USA government director Anthony Wright famous, could be “the largest minimize within the historical past of Medicaid, one that will drive thousands and thousands of Individuals to lose protection.”
Bacon additionally expressed assist for including work necessities to Medicaid, regardless of evidence that they strip protection from individuals in want. A Middle on Price range and Coverage Priorities (CBPP) evaluation from February found that imposing such mandates for Medicaid recipients may put 36 million Individuals, or 44% of this system’s enrollees, prone to shedding their medical insurance.
“Senate Republicans are carefully watching how their Home colleagues restructure federal funding for Medicaid, and can possible suggest adjustments when the complete 11-bill package deal comes over from the Home later this yr,” States Newsroom reported Thursday. “A number of GOP senators informed reporters on the Capitol on Wednesday they are going to decide the package deal based mostly on how adjustments to Medicaid will influence their constituents.”
States Newsroom shared remarks from Republican Sens. Susan Collins (Maine), Josh Hawley (Mo.), Jerry Moran (Kan.), and John Hoeven (N.D.), who stated that stated “the problem goes to be to search out financial savings in keeping with what the president has described.”
“He stated he doesn’t need any cuts to Medicaid,” Hoeven continued. “However how do you just be sure you get rid of waste, fraud, and abuse? And that the oldsters that needs to be getting it are getting it, somewhat than an able-bodied one who needs to be on the market working and is ready to try this and deal with themselves.”
10 million Individuals may lose Medicaid in lower-end proposals GOP leaders are contemplating for Trump megabill that largely goal “able-bodied”
doesn’t embrace steeper choices like caps — which might be far more
w/ @rachaelmbade @adamcancryn @MyahWardhttps://t.co/UXbLpv8UHt
— Meredith Lee Hill (@meredithllee) May 1, 2025
Politico equally reported Wednesday that “whereas Trump has agreed to focus on waste, fraud and abuse, he stays profoundly cautious about pursuing something that may be construed as ‘cuts’ to a program he has vowed time and again to guard, in line with six White Home officers and prime allies of the president.”
Medicaid isn’t the one program for the poor within the GOP’s crosshairs. Republicans are additionally contemplating cuts to and work necessities for the Supplemental Vitamin Help Program (SNAP).
CBPP said Wednesday that “practically 11 million individuals — about 1 in 4 SNAP contributors, together with greater than 4 million youngsters and greater than half 1,000,000 adults aged 65 or older and adults with disabilities — reside in households that will be prone to shedding not less than a few of their meals help” below Congressman Dusty Johnson’s (R-S.D.) proposal.
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