In this episode, I break down one of the most persistent narratives in American politics: that Medicaid is a handout for the lazy. Spoiler—it’s not. From West Virginia to Washington, the data tells a very different story. I explore the real labor statistics, revisit the Arkansas work requirement debacle, and explain why bureaucratic red tape—not fraud—is the system’s biggest failing. We’ll also talk about why tying health care to employment has warped our entire approach to public policy. This isn’t just a takedown of bad economics—it’s a cultural autopsy.

Topics covered:

The MAGA narrative vs. reality

Why most Medicaid recipients are working—or exempt

How Arkansas became a cautionary tale

The case for health care as a public good

What Benjamin Franklin has to do with all of this

Whether you’re a strategist, skeptic, or just tired of being told that poor people are the problem, this one’s worth your time.

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