Americans view Medicaid positively, reluctant to see state and federal cuts.

Public attitudes toward Medicaid are remarkably positive, and with strong opposition to proposed cuts, according to a recent public opinion survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

While two-thirds of those polled think their state has major budget problems, a substantial majority are reluctant to cut Medicaid to balance state budgets, and a majority think the federal government should maintain (44 percent) or increase (36 percent) federal spending on Medicaid. Only 12 percent of the public prefer seeing federal Medicaid funding cut.

Seventy-four percent of adults surveyed say Medicaid is a "very important" government program, equal to federal aid to public schools (74 percent) and above defense and military spending (57 percent).

Fifty-six percent of those polled report having some interaction with Medicaid, either having been enrolled themselves or knowing a friend or family member who has received health coverage via the program. Additionally, if they needed health care and were eligible, nearly eight in 10 Americans (78 percent) say they would be willing to enroll in Medicaid, according to the survey.