Robert Aderholt

06/03/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/03/2025 15:28

Congressman Aderholt Backs Speaker Johnson: New Data Shows Able-bodied Medicaid Recipients Spend Over 120 Hours a Month Watching TV and Playing Video Games Instead of Working

WASHINGTON -Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04) today issued the following statement in strong support of Speaker Mike Johnson's comments regarding waste and abuse in the Medicaid system, following a new report exposing how non-working Medicaid recipients are spending their time.

"Speaker Johnson hit the nail on the head when he said Medicaid shouldn't be going to '29-year-old males sitting on their couches playing video games.' The American Enterprise Institute's new analysis confirms it: many able-bodied Medicaid recipients who aren't working are spending their time - not looking for jobs - but glued to screens."

According to the AEI study, non-working Medicaid recipients without children spend an average of 4.2 hours every day watching TV and playing video games. That adds up to 125 hours per month- time that could be used for working, volunteering, or gaining job skills.

According to estimates from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Servicesand supported by data from the American Enterprise Instituteand the Congressional Budget Office, roughly 7 to 10 millionable-bodied, non-working adults without dependents are currently enrolled in Medicaid - approximately 1 in 10 recipients nationwide.

"Let's be clear: Medicaid was never meant to support a lifestyle of leisure for those who are fully capable of working," said Aderholt. "Spending the equivalent of over three full workweeks a monthon video games and TV is not what hardworking taxpayers signed up to support."

"These benefits were designed to support the truly vulnerable - the disabled, low-income seniors, and struggling families. When able-bodied adults who choose not to work receive the same benefits, it cheats the system and it cheats those truly in need."

Congressman Aderholt is a strong advocate for common sense work requirements, which are overwhelmingly supported by the American people - with 78% in favor.

"The next time Democrats claim Republicans are 'cutting Medicaid,' just remember what they're really defending: a system that gives taxpayer-funded healthcare to individuals who spend more than 120 hours a month on the couch. That's not compassion - that's recklessness."

"I stand with Speaker Johnson and my Republican colleagues to fix this broken system. We will continue fighting to protect Medicaid for those who genuinely need it - and to stop the abuse by those who don't."

Robert Aderholt published this content on June 03, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on June 03, 2025 at 21:28 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at support@pubt.io