Fact Check: One-quarter of Americans rely on Medicaid for healthcare.

Fact Check: "One-quarter of Americans rely on Medicaid for healthcare."

What We Know

As of January 2025, approximately 78.4 million people were enrolled in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) across the United States, which includes all 50 states and the District of Columbia (January 2025 Medicaid & CHIP Enrollment Data Highlights). This figure represents about 24% of the total U.S. population, which is estimated to be around 331 million people (U.S. Census Bureau). Specifically, 71.2 million individuals were enrolled in Medicaid alone, while 7.3 million were enrolled in CHIP (January 2025 Medicaid & CHIP Enrollment Data Highlights).

Analysis

The claim that "one-quarter of Americans rely on Medicaid for healthcare" is substantiated by the enrollment data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), which indicates that nearly 78.4 million people are enrolled in these programs. This aligns with other reports indicating that Medicaid covers a significant portion of the population, with estimates suggesting that about 30% of Americans have been enrolled in Medicaid at some point over the past year (Pew Research Center, CEPR).

Moreover, the New York Times reported that in certain regions, such as rural Kentucky and parts of Louisiana, Medicaid enrollment rates can exceed 40% of the population (Map: Where Medicaid Enrollment in the U.S. Is the Highest - The New York Times). This suggests that while the national average is around 24%, in some areas, the reliance on Medicaid is significantly higher.

The reliability of the sources used in this analysis is strong. The data from CMS is official government data, which is typically considered highly credible. The Pew Research Center and the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) are reputable organizations that conduct thorough research and analysis, further supporting the claim.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that "one-quarter of Americans rely on Medicaid for healthcare" is accurate based on the latest enrollment data, which shows that approximately 24% of the U.S. population is enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP. This figure is consistent with various analyses and reports that highlight the significant role Medicaid plays in providing healthcare coverage to millions of Americans.

Sources

1. January 2025 Medicaid & CHIP Enrollment Data Highlights
2. Map: Where Medicaid Enrollment in the U.S. Is the Highest - The New York Times
3. What the data says about Medicaid | Pew Research Center
4. Medicaid Cuts Looming: The 2025 Proposed Budget Reconciliation
5. Map Shows States Where Americans May Be Most at Risk of Losing Medicaid
6. Medicaid Enrollment & Spending Growth: FY 2024 & 2025 - KFF
7. Fact Sheet: Medicaid | AHA - American Hospital Association
8. Medicaid By the Numbers: Cuts Would Hurt Millions - CEPR