Scott Jennings on why Democrats can’t stomach Medicaid work requirements

Republican strategist Scott Jennings dropped an inconvenient truth bomb on a CNN  panel about the working requirements for Medicaid.

Despite snarky jabs and illogical arguments from his leftist co-panelists, Jennings marched straight ahead with a brilliant exposure of the Republican versus Democrat “ethos” during a heated CNN discussion about Medicaid.

“The Republican ethos is encouraging hard work. The Democratic ethos is encouraging government dependence,” Jennings captioned his post on X. “That’s really what’s at the heart of this Medicaid reform debate.”

The Republican ethos is encouraging hard work. The Democratic ethos is encouraging government dependence.

That’s really what’s at the heart of this Medicaid reform debate pic.twitter.com/G4ijpJvTpD

— Scott Jennings (@ScottJenningsKY) July 9, 2025

Jennings skillfully reminded the panel of facts and how Democrats fight against work requirements so able-bodied recipients can stay dependent on the government. Meanwhile, Republicans push for independence from government and hard work, a clear disparity in standards and values.

“There’s nothing politically devastating about encouraging 4.8 million people who choose not to work to try to work a little in order to get government benefits,” Jennings said in the clip.

“Democrats have become the party of exploding government benefits programs during COVID, vastly expanding Medicaid beyond what it was never intended to do and then saying, ‘Gee whiz, now people are trying to take things away,’” Jennings said.

Social media users noted how it wasn’t always the position of Democrats.

Democrats weren’t always for government dependence, just like they weren’t always for open borders. They’ve found it’s a good way to lock in a voter block so they changed their position.pic.twitter.com/lAVbBGdQKJ

— MAZE (@mazemoore) July 9, 2025

But the party’s allergic reactions to self-sufficiency seem clear to anyone not buying the rhetoric and many on X backed up Jennings and his arguments.

Exactly. Democrats keep preaching the policy of LBJ. Government dependence which leads to the erosion of autonomy and freedom.

— Brayden Allen (@ballenvids) July 9, 2025

They want them helpless. Easier to control the masses. On the Marxist plan.

— Wahine (@bachisheree) July 9, 2025

It’s at the heart of the entire Democrat platform

— Chillaz (@Chillaz532348) July 9, 2025