'Is he that dumb?' GOP lawmaker's Medicaid attack shredded by online critics

A Republican lawmaker attacked the idea of Medicaid with comments that had online critics questioning if he knew how it works.

Rep. Rich McCormick criticized Medicaid while speaking at a town hall and argued that it amounted to giving away "free money" in his full-throated speech.

"To the point of Medicaid, the worst thing I can possibly do is give you free money to stay home and do nothing," McCormick said. "That's not happiness. I'm not gonna allow you to sit home and get something for nothing."

On X, critics argued against his description of Medicaid and went after the Republican congressman, adding that he didn't seem to know how the program works.

South Dakota Democratic state Rep. Linda Duba similarly wondered, "Is he that dumb? No one gets money from Medicaid. You must use services and payments go directly to the providers."

Journalist John Harwood agreed, writing, "Health care is not 'free money.'"

Author Joyce Carol Oates slammed Congress more broadly with her post by writing, "'Staying home & doing nothing' is the point of becoming a congressman. Seems a wee bit hypocritical to scold sick & disabled person for wishing to do likewise."

Disability rights activist James Tate gave a scathing reaction to McCormick's comment by posting, "Veterans say F— YOU B—."

Legal writer and criminal defense lawyer Scott Greenfield asked in his post, "How is it possible that a congressman has no idea what Medicaid is used for?"

Meanwhile, Russell Foster, a former Democratic congressional candidate from Texas, wrote, "Republican theme seems to be 'How much can I hurt the poor, sick, and in need to give to my millionaire donors?'"