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