Fact Check: "The top 1% of earners do not rely on Medicaid."
What We Know
The claim that the top 1% of earners do not rely on Medicaid suggests that individuals in this income bracket do not utilize this government health insurance program. According to the March 2025 Medicaid & CHIP Enrollment Data Highlights, there were approximately 71.3 million people enrolled in Medicaid across the United States. Medicaid primarily serves low-income individuals, including families, children, pregnant women, elderly individuals, and those with disabilities.
The income eligibility for Medicaid varies by state but generally targets individuals and families with incomes at or below 138% of the federal poverty level (FPL) in states that expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. For 2025, the FPL for a single individual is approximately $14,580, meaning that Medicaid typically covers those earning less than about $20,420 annually in these states (KFF).
Given that the top 1% of earners in the U.S. have a household income of around $500,000 or more, it is reasonable to assert that they would not qualify for Medicaid under current income eligibility standards.
Analysis
The assertion that the top 1% do not rely on Medicaid aligns with the income thresholds established for Medicaid eligibility. The Pew Research Center indicates that Medicaid enrollment varies significantly by state, with some states having as low as 8.6% of their population enrolled, while others, like Washington D.C., have as high as 34.2%. This disparity underscores that Medicaid is designed for low-income individuals, which excludes the top 1% of earners.
However, the claim lacks nuance. While it is true that the top 1% generally do not qualify for Medicaid based on income, there may be exceptional cases where individuals in this bracket could have temporary circumstances that might qualify them for Medicaid, such as severe disabilities or other qualifying conditions. Additionally, the claim does not address the potential for indirect reliance on Medicaid through family members or dependents who might qualify.
The sources used to support this claim are credible, particularly the data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and KFF, which are authoritative in the field of health policy. However, the claim itself does not consider the broader context of Medicaid's purpose and the various factors that could influence an individual's eligibility.
Conclusion
Verdict: Unverified
The claim that "the top 1% of earners do not rely on Medicaid" is generally accurate based on income eligibility criteria; however, it is overly simplistic and does not account for exceptional circumstances or the complexities of Medicaid eligibility. While it is true that the vast majority of individuals in the top 1% would not qualify for Medicaid, the claim does not fully encompass the nuances of the program or the potential for indirect connections to Medicaid through family members.
