The truth about Medicaid cuts and the misinformation spreading online
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Discussions about Medicaid are increasing as Washington debates spending cuts.
With this, social media has become a platform for misleading claims.
Understanding the facts is crucial to avoid being misled.
The US House "voted narrowly Feb. 26 in favor of a budget blueprint that could lead to Medicaid cuts of up to $880 billion over a decade."
Medicaid and CHIP currently provide coverage for "about 80 million people."
Enrollment grew under the Affordable Care Act and during the COVID-19 pandemic but "started falling during the final two years of the Biden administration."
Some lawmakers argue that Medicaid should be restricted to specific groups.
"Medicaid is meant for American citizens who need it most—seniors, children, pregnant women, and the disabled," said Rep. Dan Crenshaw.
Also read: Protect your benefits: How republican proposals will revolutionize Medicare and Medicaid–stay informed!
One of the most common myths circulating online is that Latinos on Medicaid do not work.
However, "almost 67% of Latinos on Medicaid work, which is a higher share of Medicaid adults who are working compared to other racial and ethnic groups," according to a KFF analysis.
Many people receiving Medicaid are employed but "don’t have access to affordable employer-sponsored insurance," said Timothy McBride of Washington University in St. Louis.
Another misconception is that Latinos make up the largest group of Medicaid recipients.
In reality, "white people who are not Hispanic represent the biggest demographic group in Medicaid and CHIP," accounting for "42% non-Hispanic white, 28% Latinos, and 18% non-Hispanic Black."
Latinos have made up between "26 and 30% [of enrollees] since at least 2008," said Gideon Lukens of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
Some claims suggest that undocumented immigrants overuse Medicaid benefits, leading to financial strain on the system.
However, "under federal law, immigrants lacking legal status are not eligible for federal Medicaid benefits."
As of January, "14 states and the District of Columbia had used their own funds to expand coverage to children in the country without regard to immigration status," and "seven states and D.C. expanded coverage to some adults regardless of immigration status."
This coverage is paid for "entirely by the states. The federal government does not put up a penny."
PolitiFact rated as "False" a claim that hospitals are being bankrupted by providing care to undocumented immigrants.
Also read: Is your health coverage safe? Why Medicaid could face major cuts
Some social media posts suggest that Latinos use Medicaid more than other groups.
However, experts say, "Latinos do not use significantly more Medicaid services than others."
In fact, "they actually use health care services less than other groups, because of systemic barriers such as limited English proficiency and difficulty navigating the system," said Arturo Vargas Bustamante of UCLA.
Concerns about the "public charge" rule have also discouraged some Latinos from seeking care.
Although softened under the Biden administration, the policy had a "chilling effect" that still lingers, according to Vargas Bustamante.
Discussions about Medicaid cuts will continue, and misleading information may spread further.
Many individuals do not stay on Medicaid long-term, as "some studies indicate that as many as half of the people on Medicaid churn off of Medicaid within a short period of time," said McBride.
The people who remain on Medicaid the longest are "people who have Medicaid due to a disability and who live with a medical situation that does not change," said Jennifer Tolbert of KFF.
Have you encountered Medicaid myths on social media? How do you navigate the sea of misinformation to find the truth? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below. Your insights could help fellow readers stay informed and protect their benefits.
Read more: Phantom payments: Medicaid payments raise questions after millions spent on ineligible recipients
With this, social media has become a platform for misleading claims.
Understanding the facts is crucial to avoid being misled.
The US House "voted narrowly Feb. 26 in favor of a budget blueprint that could lead to Medicaid cuts of up to $880 billion over a decade."
Medicaid and CHIP currently provide coverage for "about 80 million people."
Amidst the political turmoil, several Medicaid myths have taken root, particularly on social media platforms. Image source: National Cancer Institute / Unsplash
Enrollment grew under the Affordable Care Act and during the COVID-19 pandemic but "started falling during the final two years of the Biden administration."
Some lawmakers argue that Medicaid should be restricted to specific groups.
"Medicaid is meant for American citizens who need it most—seniors, children, pregnant women, and the disabled," said Rep. Dan Crenshaw.
Also read: Protect your benefits: How republican proposals will revolutionize Medicare and Medicaid–stay informed!
One of the most common myths circulating online is that Latinos on Medicaid do not work.
However, "almost 67% of Latinos on Medicaid work, which is a higher share of Medicaid adults who are working compared to other racial and ethnic groups," according to a KFF analysis.
Many people receiving Medicaid are employed but "don’t have access to affordable employer-sponsored insurance," said Timothy McBride of Washington University in St. Louis.
Another misconception is that Latinos make up the largest group of Medicaid recipients.
In reality, "white people who are not Hispanic represent the biggest demographic group in Medicaid and CHIP," accounting for "42% non-Hispanic white, 28% Latinos, and 18% non-Hispanic Black."
Latinos have made up between "26 and 30% [of enrollees] since at least 2008," said Gideon Lukens of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
Some claims suggest that undocumented immigrants overuse Medicaid benefits, leading to financial strain on the system.
However, "under federal law, immigrants lacking legal status are not eligible for federal Medicaid benefits."
As of January, "14 states and the District of Columbia had used their own funds to expand coverage to children in the country without regard to immigration status," and "seven states and D.C. expanded coverage to some adults regardless of immigration status."
This coverage is paid for "entirely by the states. The federal government does not put up a penny."
PolitiFact rated as "False" a claim that hospitals are being bankrupted by providing care to undocumented immigrants.
Also read: Is your health coverage safe? Why Medicaid could face major cuts
Some social media posts suggest that Latinos use Medicaid more than other groups.
However, experts say, "Latinos do not use significantly more Medicaid services than others."
In fact, "they actually use health care services less than other groups, because of systemic barriers such as limited English proficiency and difficulty navigating the system," said Arturo Vargas Bustamante of UCLA.
Concerns about the "public charge" rule have also discouraged some Latinos from seeking care.
Although softened under the Biden administration, the policy had a "chilling effect" that still lingers, according to Vargas Bustamante.
Discussions about Medicaid cuts will continue, and misleading information may spread further.
Many individuals do not stay on Medicaid long-term, as "some studies indicate that as many as half of the people on Medicaid churn off of Medicaid within a short period of time," said McBride.
The people who remain on Medicaid the longest are "people who have Medicaid due to a disability and who live with a medical situation that does not change," said Jennifer Tolbert of KFF.
Read more: Phantom payments: Medicaid payments raise questions after millions spent on ineligible recipients
