While the Affordable Care Act made significant strides in Medicaid Expansion, that may all change should the American Health Care Act (AHCA) be put into action. While federal funding for Medicaid will be significantly cut and potentially move to block grants under the AHCA, states will be given more power to dictate just how much or how little budgetary attention will be paid to the healthcare for low-income individuals and families.Medicaid may be the platform most significantly impacted. CHIP, the funding program for children’s healthcare may also take a huge hit.
It’s a concern shared amongst many Americans, according to the latest report from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF). The KFF conducted a survey on the opinions of the AHCA and its affect on Medicaid expansion. 58% of the participants expressed that Medicaid holds some importance to them and their families—either “very” important or “somewhat.” Of that breakdown, 64% were Democrats, 46% Republicans, and 57% Independent. The majority also expressed that Medicaid is important for the cost of their healthcare (53%), the quality of their healthcare (41%), and the keeping of their healthcare (42%), significantly greater than those who say it is not important.
84% of the participants say that funding for Medicaid expansion should continue, as even those residing in states without Medicaid expansion have stressed its importance. While 71% of the poll were against the AHCA’s plans for block grants for Medicaid, the majority of those votes came from Democrats, as Republicans are still split on that decision.
While the platform has endured a number of criticisms, particularly from the Trump Administration, it’s clear that across party lines there is an agreed upon value in continuing its federal funding.
To view the KFF study, click here.
