ST. PAUL, Minn. — A majority of Minnesotans see Medicaid, also known as Medical Assistance, as "very important" and oppose federal government funding reductions for the program, a new statewide survey found.
The Minnesota Department of Health and the University of Minnesota's State Health Access Data Assistance Center surveyed around 2,000 people in May 2025.
MDH said in a news release that 72% of survey respondents said Medicaid — the state-federal public health insurance program — is "very important" to their local community.
"Minnesotans know that Medicaid matters, and these survey results show that," said John Connolly, the state Medicaid director and Minnesota Department of Human Services deputy commissioner. "Medicaid plays a key role in helping make sure people from all backgrounds and communities in every corner of our state have access to health coverage. However, the proposed federal cuts to Medicaid mean tens of thousands of our friends, neighbors and loved ones will lose their health coverage."
The survey comes as the U.S. Senate considers a large bill that would pare back federal funding for Medicaid. The House of Representatives passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in late May.
Most survey respondents were aware of the potential funding changes. Their findings:
- 15.6% of respondents said the changes would improve Medicaid patients' health
- Most (70.7%) said the changes would reduce spending
- 80% said they opposed reducing federal funding for Medicaid
- Of the 20% who did support reducing funding, "about a quarter (27.3%) changed their minds when they learned states might not be able to make up the amount and 20 million people would lose coverage nationally."
- Opinions were more mixed on work requirements, but most survey respondents said they opposed "requiring nearly all adults to work or be looking for work in order to get health insurance through Medicaid."
"The consequences of having a large number of people without health insurance are significant — not only for the people who do not have coverage but for our health care system and everyone in Minnesota," said Minnesota Commissioner of Health Dr. Brooke Cunningham. "In the long run, access to health care coverage through Medicaid saves resources, saves money and saves lives."
In Minnesota, 18% of residents receive health coverage through Medicaid, which is also one of the largest payers of hospitals and long-term care services.
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