Fact Check: "The United States has over 60 million Medicaid beneficiaries."
What We Know
The claim that the United States has over 60 million Medicaid beneficiaries is supported by recent enrollment data. According to the March 2025 Medicaid & CHIP Enrollment Data Highlights, there were 78,577,962 individuals enrolled in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) across the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Specifically, 71,258,215 people were enrolled in Medicaid, while 7,319,747 were enrolled in CHIP. This data indicates that the total number of Medicaid beneficiaries alone exceeds 60 million.
Additionally, a report from the June 2025 Report to Congress on Medicaid and CHIP confirms similar figures, stating that the enrollment numbers have remained consistent, with over 70 million individuals enrolled in Medicaid. Furthermore, a Pew Research article from June 2025 also corroborates this information, noting that as of January 2025, approximately 71.4 million people were enrolled in Medicaid.
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim comes from multiple reliable sources, including government reports and reputable research organizations. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) provides the most direct and authoritative data regarding Medicaid enrollment, as they collect and publish this information monthly. The figures presented in their reports are comprehensive and include all eligible beneficiaries, making them a credible source.
The June 2025 Report to Congress also serves as a reliable source, as it is produced by a governmental body that oversees Medicaid and CHIP programs. This report not only affirms the enrollment figures but also discusses the implications of these numbers on public health and policy.
In contrast, while the New York Times article provides contextual information about Medicaid enrollment across the country, it is less focused on specific enrollment figures and more on regional distributions. However, it still supports the claim by acknowledging that more than 70 million Americans are on Medicaid.
The Kaiser Family Foundation also tracks Medicaid enrollment and provides detailed analyses, further confirming the high enrollment numbers. Their data aligns with the figures reported by CMS, reinforcing the reliability of the claim.
Conclusion
The claim that "The United States has over 60 million Medicaid beneficiaries" is True. The evidence from multiple authoritative sources consistently shows that the number of individuals enrolled in Medicaid exceeds 60 million, with the most recent figures indicating approximately 71 million beneficiaries. This robust data from credible sources confirms the accuracy of the claim.
