Spending cuts, immigration, and Medicaid are currently dominating the Washington agenda, creating a breeding ground for misinformation and myths to spread on social networks. Particularly, myths surrounding immigrants, Latinos, and Medicaid have been circulating widely.
The recent U.S. House vote on a budget blueprint that could potentially lead to Medicaid cuts of up to $880 billion over a decade has raised concerns among many. Medicaid, along with the Children’s Health Insurance Program, serves as a crucial part of the national safety net, covering approximately 80 million individuals. Despite experiencing growth under the Affordable Care Act and during the early stages of the covid-19 pandemic, Medicaid enrollment has seen a decline in the final two years of the Biden administration.
The impact of immigrants on the nation’s healthcare system is often exaggerated in political discourse. Vice President JD Vance’s statement on the campaign trail suggesting that hospitals are being bankrupted by providing care to individuals without legal status was rated as false by fact-checkers.
KFF Health News, in collaboration with Factchequeado, has identified and debunked five prevalent myths circulating on social media related to Latinos, Medicaid, and immigrants.
- Do Latinos who receive Medicaid work?
Contrary to the myth that Latinos on Medicaid do not work, data analysis by KFF revealed that almost 67% of Latinos on Medicaid are employed. This percentage is higher compared to other racial and ethnic groups. Many low-income individuals work but lack access to affordable employer-sponsored insurance. - Are Latinos the largest group enrolled in Medicaid?
While Latinos do not constitute the largest demographic group in Medicaid, they do represent the highest percentage of people receiving benefits. The program’s enrollment consists of 42% non-Hispanic white, 28% Latinos, and 18% non-Hispanic Black individuals. Eligibility for Medicaid is based on various factors such as income, age, and disability status, not on race or ethnicity. - Do most Latinos living in the country without legal permission use Medicaid?
Under federal law, immigrants without legal status are not eligible for federal Medicaid benefits. Some states have used their own funds to expand coverage to children and some adults regardless of immigration status, with the cost covered entirely by the states. - Do Latinos stay on Medicaid for decades?
There is no specific analysis by race or ethnicity regarding the duration of Medicaid utilization. People who remain on Medicaid the longest are typically those with disabilities or enduring medical conditions. Long-term support services users constitute only 6% of the total Medicaid population. - Are Latinos on Medicaid the group that uses medical services the most?
Latinos do not significantly utilize more Medicaid services than other groups. They receive preventive, primary care, and mental health services less frequently due to systemic barriers such as language barriers and difficulty navigating the healthcare system. Latino families and white families each represent around 35% of Medicaid births, with Latinos accounting for 28% of all Medicaid and CHIP enrollees.The myths surrounding Latinos, immigrants, and Medicaid continue to perpetuate misinformation and misconceptions. It is essential to rely on accurate data and analysis to debunk these myths and promote a better understanding of these crucial issues in society.
