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Medicaid Watch

Featuring policy research, polling and news about how Medicaid is changing, and the impact of those changes due to the tax and spending cuts law

budget reconciliation

Map shows the percentage point increase in the uninsured population due to the budget reconciliation package based on CBO estimates, by state. An Additional 10M People Nationwide Could be Uninsured in 2034 Due to the Budget Reconciliation Law

How Will the 2025 Reconciliation Law Affect the Uninsured Rate in Each State?

This analysis apportions the increase in the number of uninsured across the 50 states and DC. CBO estimates that the reconciliation law will increase the number of uninsured by 10 million in 2034. That number would rise to over 14 million if enhanced premium tax credits for ACA Marketplace enrollees expire later this year.

MEDICAID CUTS

Medicaid and work

Understanding the Intersection of Medicaid and Work

Data show that, in 2023, 92% of Medicaid adults were either working full or part-time (64%), or were not working due to barriers to work such as caregiving responsibilities, illness or disability, or school attendance -- reasons that counted as qualifying exemptions from the work requirements under previous policies.

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: Medicaid and Rural Areas

Approximately 66 million people live in rural areas – about 20% of the U.S. population. Nearly 1 in 4 of them have Medicaid, a higher share than in urban areas (24% vs 21%).

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: 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.

5 Facts: Nursing Facilities

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.

Latest News

More KFF Health News

View the Latest: Medicaid Watch

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  • Could Trump Walk Away from Unpopular Health Proposals?

    From Drew Altman

    In a new column, KFF President and CEO Drew Altman discusses what President Trump’s decision to pull back the broad freeze in federal grant funding might portend for his response to future policies in health that prove controversial or unpopular.

  • Medicaid Financing: The Basics

    Issue Brief

    Medicaid represents $1 out of every $5 spent on health care in the U.S. and is the major source of financing for states to provide health coverage and long-term services and supports for low-income residents. This brief examines key questions about Medicaid financing and how it works.

  • Medicaid Section 1115 Waivers: The Basics

    Issue Brief

    Section 1115 Medicaid demonstration waivers offer states an avenue to test new approaches in Medicaid that differ from what is required by federal statute. Nearly all states have at least one active Section 1115 waiver and some states have multiple 1115 waivers. This brief explains what Section 1115 waivers are and how they are used, summarizes key waiver requirements, and outlines the application and approval process.

  • Medicaid: What to Watch in 2025

    Issue Brief

    In 2025, many issues are at play that could affect Medicaid coverage, financing, and access to care.

  • Medicaid Work Requirements: Current Waiver and Legislative Activity

    Issue Brief

    With Donald Trump returning to the presidency and Republican control of the Senate and House, work requirements are likely to be back on the agenda—through federal legislation or Medicaid waivers. This issue brief highlights the history of Medicaid work requirements, describes recent state activity to advance work requirement policies, and recaps the landscape of work requirement approvals and pending requests at the end of President Trump’s first term.

  • What Administrative Changes Can Trump Make to Medicaid?

    Policy Watch

    With Donald Trump returning to the presidency, the future of Medicaid is uncertain. While Medicaid did not receive a lot of attention directly during the campaign, Trump’s first term can shed light on potential changes that could be implemented administratively without Congress.

  • 50-State Medicaid Budget Survey Archives

    Feature

    This page provides access to the reports stemming from the 50-state Medicaid budget surveys published annually since 2000 by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF). It tracks trends in Medicaid spending and enrollment, as well as Medicaid policy actions around eligibility and enrollment, provider rates, provider taxes/fees, premiums and cost-sharing, benefits and pharmacy, long-term care and delivery system and payment reform.

  • Medicaid Enrollment & Spending Growth: FY 2024 & 2025

    Issue Brief

    This brief analyzes Medicaid enrollment and spending trends for FY 2024 and FY 2025, based on data provided by state Medicaid directors as part of the 24th annual survey of Medicaid directors.

  • Again, No Medicaid

    From Drew Altman

    In his latest column, KFF President and CEO Drew Altman explains why Medicaid, despite former President Donald Trump's silence on the topic, warrants greater attention given the potential for drastic changes or cuts to it should Republicans win control in the election.