A vast majority of the American public – 84 percent – say it is important that states that received federal funds to expand Medicaid continue to receive those funds under any replacement plan, according to a poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation.

The survey questioned participants on provisions of the American Health Care Act, specifically provisions that would peel back federal support of the Medicaid program and vest most control with the states through per capita caps or block grants.

The widespread approval for the current funding levels under Medicaid expansion included Democrats (93 percent), independents (83 percent) and Republicans (71 percent). 

The poll also finds that the public prefers Medicaid’s current financing structure, with the federal government matching state spending on an open ended basis, to the proposed changes in the House bill. When asked about the proposed shift to per capita caps or block grants, seven in 10 (71 percent) say Medicaid should largely continue as it is today, while fewer (26 percent) say it should be changed to limit federal funding while letting states decide who and what to cover.

Overall six in 10 Americans (58 percent) say Medicaid is either “very” or “somewhat” important for them and their family.

The survey also asked about public perceptions of Medicaid, including whether it is “insurance” or “welfare.” More people said they see Medicaid as health insurance (60 percent) than welfare (37 percent), but there was a significant partisan divide with most Democrats and independents viewing Medicaid as health insurance and a narrow majority of Republicans viewing it as welfare.