Post-Session Poll: Montanans Overwhelmingly Support Medicaid Continuation; Worry that Cuts, Tariffs Will Harm Montana

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 28, 2025

Media Contact:

Brandon DeMars, bdemars@middleforkmt.org

Nick Lockridge, nlockridge@middleforkmt.org

Post-Session Poll: Montanans Overwhelmingly Support Medicaid Continuation; Worry that Cuts, Tariffs Will Harm Montana

Statewide survey from Middle Fork Strategies shows continued worry over cost of living and deep concern over the impacts of potential budget cuts

(Helena, Mont.) – A new opinion poll of Montanans shows an overwhelming majority in support of the legislature’s action to continue the state’s current Medicaid program. In the survey, released by Middle Fork Strategies, 85 percent favor the passed legislation which maintains healthcare coverage for nearly 80,000 Montana adults, and 59 percent strongly favor it. This finding echoes previous surveys which have consistently registered strong majorities backing Montana Medicaid.

“The overwhelming majority of Montanans are in strong support of our state’s successful Medicaid program, and these results clearly show that,” said Middle Fork Executive Director Brandon DeMars. “In today’s environment it’s not often you see such broad approval of a policy. But we know that people in Montana look out for each other and are committed to making sure our families, friends, and neighbors have the healthcare they need.”

When respondents were asked to rate what they saw as the most pressing issues facing Montana today, the ongoing cost of living and housing affordability crises continued to top the list.

Turning to federal policy, the poll also shows that significant majorities of Montanans oppose cuts to a range of policies and programs. These include Social Security (78% opposed to cuts), Medicare (74%), funding for Medicaid (70%), and school lunch programs (74%). Cuts to educational and recreational funding also saw strong opposition, including the National Park Service (69%) and local museums and libraries (66%).

“Whether it’s the Social Security and Medicare benefits that Montana seniors have earned, or support for working families like Medicaid and CHIP, Montanans are deeply concerned about the effects that funding cuts would have on our state,” DeMars said. “Working Montanans, rural communities, small business owners, and retirees are the ones who stand to lose. They are not going to sit by and watch while the tools that equip them to build a good life for their families are slashed just to pay for billionaires’ tax cuts.”

When asked about their expectations for the effects of increased tariffs on imported goods, a majority of Montanans expressed pessimism. Fifty-five percent believe that higher tariffs will make Montana’s economy worse, with 43 percent answering that they will make it much worse.

Additional findings showed the continuation of several long-term trends that have been observed in previous surveys, including:

• 77 percent oppose the creation of a sales tax in Montana

• 70 percent oppose the use of public tax dollars to fund private and religious schools

• 57 percent believe that abortion should be legal and available in all or most circumstances, while only 12 percent support outright bans

The results of the poll are available here, and a memo analyzing findings can be found here. The poll was conducted by Searchlight Research from May 13-17, among a 600-participant statewide sample. Responses were captured by live telephone interviews to both landline and cell numbers.

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www.middleforkmt.org | @middleforkmt

Middle Fork Strategies is a multi-issue advocacy and research organization based in Montana. Middle Fork’s goals are to hold accountable those in power and work with like-minded advocacy groups on policies and issues that impact Montana.