Medicaid Watch

Understanding Medicaid

5 Facts: Medicaid and Immigrants
Confusion persists about immigrants’ eligibility for federal programs. This brief helps readers understand how current Medicaid policy affects immigrants as well as the potential impacts of policy changes under the Trump administration.
5 Facts: Fraud, Waste, Abuse and Improper Payments
While fraud and abuse may be one cause of improper payments, not all improper payments are fraud or abuse. This brief explains improper payments and describes state and federal actions to address program integrity.
5 Facts: Nursing Facilities and Medicaid
Amid debates about federal Medicaid cuts, which could cause states to lower Medicaid reimbursement rates for nursing facilities, this brief explains how Medicaid supports nursing facilities and the people living in them.
5 Facts: Medicaid and Hospitals
Absorbing reductions in Medicaid spending could be challenging for hospitals, particularly for those that are financially vulnerable. This brief provides data on the reach of Medicaid across hospitals, patients, and charity care.
5 Facts: Medicaid and Provider Taxes
All states except Alaska cover some state Medicaid costs with taxes on health care providers. This brief uses data from KFF’s 2024-2025 survey of Medicaid directors to describe current practices and the federal rules governing them.