What’s at Stake in Medicaid: A Voter Guide

Medicaid is an important source of health care for 12 million people with Medicare, helping to pay for costs and services that Medicare does not, including nursing home care and personal care services. Medicaid also makes Medicare more affordable by helping low-income beneficiaries pay their premiums and cost-sharing. In recent years, there have been efforts by some in Washington to significantly restrict Medicaid funding and eligibility in ways that would put millions at risk of being un- or under-insured. As the coronavirus pandemic has shown, Medicaid’s affordable, comprehensive health coverage is more important than ever. For 2020, voters should pay close attention to candidates’ statements about Medicaid, including their vision for the future of the program. To help voters weigh in, this document outlines a few proposals to keep an eye out for that could transform the program for the worse.