Central Wisconsin News

Wisconsin Representative Tom Tiffany has raised concerns about the Medicaid program, highlighting that over 60% of able-bodied adults enrolled in Medicaid report no income. He also argued that states providing benefits to illegal immigrants should not receive federal funds and emphasized the need to protect Medicaid for the "truly vulnerable."

"Over 60% of able-bodied adults on Medicaid report no income — we need work requirements now," said Rep. Tom Tiffany. "7 states give taxpayer-funded Medicaid to illegal aliens — they shouldn't get a single federal dollar. Congress must act to protect Medicaid for the truly vulnerable — no excuses."

According to the Foundation for Government Accountability, a significant portion of able-bodied adults on Medicaid are unemployed. Data from 23 state Medicaid agencies indicated that 62% of these enrollees had no earned income, based on records covering nearly 21 million individuals. The organization noted that claims of widespread employment among these adults often rely on small, self-reported survey samples, which may not accurately reflect their actual work status.

Rep. Tiffany's post | X

"In 2024, California expanded Medicaid to cover illegal aliens between the ages of 26 and 49. This will cost taxpayers an estimated $9.5 billion this year alone. Republicans want this to stop. Democrats want it to continue," said Tiffany in another X post.

Medicaid is a joint federal and state program providing health coverage to eligible low-income individuals, including children, pregnant women, elderly adults, and people with disabilities. Each state administers its own Medicaid program within federal guidelines, with funding sourced from both state and federal levels. As of October 2024, Medicaid covered approximately 72.1 million people and includes components such as managed care, long-term services, prescription drug coverage, and supports home and community-based services under Title XIX of the Social Security Act.

Tiffany represents Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District after being elected in May 2020 during a special election. He grew up on a dairy farm near Elmwood, Wisconsin, and holds a degree in agricultural economics from the University of Wisconsin – River Falls. Before his tenure in Congress, Tiffany served in the Wisconsin State Assembly and State Senate with a focus on tax reduction, job creation, and protection of Second Amendment rights.