Great Lakes Wire

David Metzner, a Managing Partner at ACG Analytics, said that he believes Medicaid plays a critical role in ensuring access to mental health care for millions of Americans. Metzner made this statement during a webinar on March 14.

"Medicaid funding, I think, is growing, it's at 10% a year. It's growing, and Congress has its sights on it," said Metzner. "If you lay a map of the country down and look at Medicaid, President Trump would find out that a lot of the rural counties that voted for him are also the ones that rely on Medicaid. We want to be sure that medicine is open to all income groups in America, not just the wealthy."

As of November 2024, approximately 79 million individuals were enrolled in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) across the United States. Specifically, 71.8 million were enrolled in Medicaid, and 7.3 million in CHIP. This extensive enrollment underscores the program's significant role in providing healthcare coverage to low-income populations nationwide.

According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Medicaid spending in the U.S. totaled $871.7 billion in 2023, accounting for 18% of the nation's total National Health Expenditures. This reflects a 7.9% increase from the previous year, highlighting the program's growing financial footprint in the healthcare system.

The Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) reports that just over 26% of Michigan's total population was enrolled in Medicaid, amounting to approximately 2.6 million residents. This figure includes beneficiaries of the Healthy Michigan Plan, pointing to the program's role in providing health coverage to a large portion of the state's populace.

According to Meridian, Metzner is also noted as being the Managing Partner of American Continental Group and has led ACG Analytics since 2007, where he advises clients in the financial sector on how public policy influences investment decisions. He previously served as Vice Chairman of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.