Alarming number of Americans dependent on the state: almost 100 million will have access to Medicaid

The number of Americans on Medicaid could exceed 100 million, an alarming figure, as nearly a third of the country would rely on government subsidies.

According to the Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA), of the 98 million people who are enrolled in Medicaid, there are at least 21 million of them who would exceed the earnings limit required to qualify yet still receive benefits.

So far, the Biden administration has taken great pride in Medicaid expansion. However, the public health insurance program is intended to help low-income people. The fact that so many Americans resort to this type of coverage reflects not only the country's worsening economic imparity, but also how citizens have become increasingly dependent on the state at the expense of taxpayers.

The problem is not only that the state pays for these medical services, but that in the end these insurance and other social programs are in some way supported by the high taxes paid by middle class. These are the same citizens who are not eligible for Medicaid and who must pay for their own much more expensive health insurance.

Concern from governors

Last Monday, 25 governors sent a letter to Joe Biden demanding that he end the federal public health emergency that "is costing state taxpayers hundreds of millions due to unnecessary mandates."

The governors criticized that Biden has maintained his declaration of a Public Health Emergency (PHE), despite the fact that the coronavirus pandemic is now under control. They claim that there is no reason for taxpayers to continue paying large sums of money in taxes to keep up various social programs.

In addition, they call for a thorough evaluation of Medicaid enrollees so that only those who truly meet the requirements receive benefits. This would reduce that 100 million figure, which in turn would lead to a reduction in public spending.

"The PHE is negatively affecting states, primarily by artificially growing our population covered under Medicaid, regardless of whether individuals continue to be eligible under the program. Since the beginning of the pandemic, states have added 20 million individuals to the Medicaid rolls, an increase of 30-percent, and those numbers continue to climb as the PHE continues to be extended every 90 days," the letter states.

The governors insist that it is time to move forward and return to normalcy and that the Biden administration's policies ought to reflect this.