Majority of Americans Support Medicare and Medicaid Amid Federal Spending Cut Talks

Americans remain deeply supportive of government health programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, even as discussions of potential federal spending cuts are ongoing, according to the latest KFF Health Tracking Poll.

As the nation is again under the reigns of a Trump administration and a Republican-led Congress, debates on reducing spending have not affected the public’s feelings on these programs.

In fact, about eight in ten Americans have positive views of Medicare (82%), and more than three-fourths feel the same about Medicaid (77%).

Many people from different political groups, including Republicans, Democrats, and independents, tend to view these programs positively.

However, about half of the public believes the federal government isn’t spending enough on these programs.

Fifty-one percent say Medicare funding is insufficient, while 46% feel the same about Medicaid. The amount of participants who believe the government spends "too much" on these programs is significantly smaller.

Americans also have clear opinions about healthcare priorities for the Trump administration and Congress.

Many support efforts to increase transparency in healthcare pricing, with 61% of respondents saying this should be a top priority.

Fifty-eight percent believe setting stricter limits on harmful chemicals in the food supply is important and 55% want more oversight on how insurance companies approve or deny services and prescriptions.

There is also strong support for expanding the number of prescription drugs eligible for Medicare price negotiation. This proposal is backed by two-thirds of Democrats, 54% of independents and nearly half of Republicans.

Although, some possible policy changes are seen as less important or even unnecessary.

For example, fewer than one in eight adults think reducing Medicaid funding, limiting abortion access or cutting federal funding to schools that require vaccinations should be top priorities.

In fact, most of the participants say these actions "should not be done."

While healthcare remains a pressing issue, opinions about the Affordable Care Act (ACA) are still divided.

Nearly two-thirds of Americans (64%) view the ACA favorably, but Republicans remain less supportive, with 40% prioritizing its repeal. Meanwhile, half of Democrats want to extend subsidies that help people afford coverage through ACA marketplaces.

Many Americans expressed their concern about the future of ACA benefits, with majority across political parties concerned that coverage may become less affordable in the years ahead.

The poll also highlights concern about fraud and waste in government health programs.

About three-fourths of Americans think reducing fraud and waste could lower federal spending, which aligns with the Trump administration’s efficiency goals.

However, more than half of the public is also worried that efforts to cut waste might reduce benefits for people relying on Medicare and Medicaid. These concerns are shared by Republicans, Democrats and independents.

In addition to Medicare and Medicaid, the public believes the government should invest more in public health initiatives, such as preventing chronic diseases and preparing for future pandemics.

Most Americans feel the government isn’t spending enough in these areas, showing a strong interest in protecting and improving healthcare systems.