The Kaiser Foundation just released a poll on one of the most pressing state policy issues–Medicaid. The results are stunning in that the level of support for the program is higher than I would have expected, but then again, many, many people interact with the program on some level:
Washington, DC– Perhaps surprisingly given years of debate about Medicaid, frequent references to the program as the ?Pac Man? of state budgets, and periodic calls for reform, public attitudes toward Medicaid are remarkably positive, and opposition to cuts is reasonably strong, according to a new public opinion survey released today by the Kaiser Family Foundation.
While two-thirds of the public think their state has major budget problems, a substantial majority are reluctant to cut Medicaid to balance state budgets, and a majority think the federal government should maintain (44%) or increase (36%) federal spending on Medicaid; only 12% of the public prefer seeing federal funding of Medicaid cut.
Attitudes Towards Medicaid
Nearly three-quarters (74%) of adults say Medicaid is a ?very important” government program, ranking it close to Social Security (88%) and Medicare (83%) in the public?s mind, equal to federal aid to public schools (74%), and above defense and military spending (57%). About 8 in 10 Democrats (82%) and Independents (79%) view Medicaid as an important government program, while fewer, but still 6 in 10 Republicans (61%) express that view.
A majority of Americans (56%) report having some interaction with Medicaid, either having been enrolled themselves at some point (16%) or knowing a friend or family member who has received health coverage or long-term care assistance through the program (40%). Additionally, if they needed health care and were eligible, nearly 8 in 10 Americans (78%) say they would be willing to enroll in Medicaid. This view is consistent across different party identifications.
“We expected Medicaid to be relatively unpopular with the public, much like welfare was. But we found that Medicaid ranks closer to popular programs like Medicare and Social Security in the public?s mind. The fact that so many Americans have had some kind of contact with Medicaid themselves or through family and friends is one factor that could help explain this result,” said Mollyann Brodie, Ph.D., Vice President and Director of Public Opinion and Media Research for the Foundation.
I think the support for programs that help both rich and poor is sometimes surprising, but simply reflects that many Americans hope to be rich but worry about being poor.
I think you are right—and the reality is that a lot of families have older family members in nursing homes. And that is a key difference from say TANF where most middle class folks don’t know someone who receives it, but quite a few middle class people know someone who relies on Medicaid.
The real problem now is how to afford it which I don’t think most people understand the depths of the problem.
The Players and whats up for grabs. Profits United Health Group 2010 $4.293 billion
Here are some other 2010 budget numbers: Wonder what it cost CMS ( Can’t Manage Shit) to operate each year. $453 billion Medicare/// $290 billion Medicaid ///$78.7 billion Department of Health and Human Services/// UnitedHealth Group Awarded TRICARE Managed Care Support Contract … Jul 13, 2009 … UnitedHealth Group Awarded TRICARE Managed Care Support Contract for more than $20.3 billion. BILLIONS awarded and still to be awarded United’s AmeriChoice unit is the largest government contractor administering state Medicaid programs for the poor and federally sponsored plans for children. AmeriChoice’s revenue rose 34% last year, to $6 billion.
United Health Group and its subsidiarys must be exhausted from signing Corporate Integrity agreements each and every year and as reward for their violations well what happens? they are awarded more contracts and more money and maybe even an ambassadorship here and there and if anybody should question what the heck is going on, then send them a Elmo doll. (Americhoice sponsors Sesame Street) Up side, Billions to be made, down side pay some fines (cost of doing business) move on and nobody goes to jail or gets excluded from the game. Get up the next day put on your Elmo costume and its back to work as usual. WOW, even in the Casino world or Mob world this would be a no no, suprised Hollywood has not done a movie on this or maybe even great TV.
W