Vivek Ramaswamy said in 2024 that Medicare and Medicaid were mistakes; Amy Acton campaigns on the remark, and his campaign calls the attacks cherry-picked
Asked on a 2024 podcast whether Medicare and Medicaid were mistakes, Vivek Ramaswamy said 'I believe they were.' Amy Acton and Democrats campaign on the remark in the Ohio governor's race; his campaign calls the attacks cherry-picked.
Case period:
Published by The Dispute Index editorial teamPublished Updated
Overview
Klein's interview with Ramaswamy was released on October 29, 2024, after Ramaswamy's run for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination and before he entered the race for governor. Klein asked whether Medicare and Medicaid were mistakes. Ramaswamy answered that he believed they were, 'with the benefit of retrospect,' and singled out Medicaid and the welfare state without work requirements. He then said Medicare and Social Security are in a different category, and argued that the welfare state has harmed the people it was created to help and that the benefits created in the 1960s will eventually run out in a national debt crisis.
MeidasTouch posted the exchange on January 16, 2026. The Democratic Governors Association circulated it, and its spokesperson Izzi Levy said Ramaswamy 'didn't even need to think twice before endorsing ripping away health care from millions of Ohioans.' Acton wrote on social media that a billionaire who flies around Ohio on a private jet had called these programs a mistake.
In February, the Statehouse News Bureau reported that Ramaswamy's campaign called Acton's attacks blatantly dishonest and based on 'a cherry-picked 30 seconds from an 80-minute interview,' and that in a written statement the campaign said 'Medicaid is a vital program that millions of Ohioans rely on.' In October, after the Ohio State Medical Association's political action committee endorsed Ramaswamy, more than a thousand doctors signed a letter backing Acton; the Statehouse News Bureau reported that they are concerned he could limit access to the programs because of the remark, and that Ramaswamy has said the comments were taken out of context. On October 23, Acton posted that Ramaswamy calls Medicare and Medicaid mistakes and said she would protect both programs.
Read the full background
Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur who sought the 2024 Republican presidential nomination and worked briefly on the Department of Government Efficiency effort with Elon Musk in early 2025, is the Republican nominee for Ohio governor. Acton, a physician and former director of the Ohio Department of Health, is the Democratic nominee. The election is November 3, 2026.
Medicaid work requirements are already federal law: the tax and spending bill President Trump signed in July 2025 requires most recipients between 19 and 64 to log 80 hours a month of work, training or community service, with compliance due by January 1, 2027. Both candidates have voiced support for work requirements in some form.
People in this case
Vivek RamaswamyDirectly involved
Amy ActonDirectly involved
Timeline
6 timeline entries on this page. Dates: October 29, 2024 to October 23, 2026
October 2024
On The Ezra Klein Show, Ramaswamy says Medicare and Medicaid were mistakes
Claim
Asked by Ezra Klein whether Medicare and Medicaid were mistakes, Ramaswamy answers that he believes they were, particularly Medicaid and the welfare state without work requirements, and says Medicare and Social Security belong in a different category.
[01]The New York Times
Full video of Ezra Klein's interview with Vivek Ramaswamy for The New York Times opinion podcast The Ezra Klein Show, released October 29, 2024, before Ramaswamy entered the race for Ohio governor. Klein asks whether Medicare and Medicaid were mistakes early in the conversation.
Vivek Ramaswamy Has a Different Vision for Trumpism From JD Vance | The Ezra Klein Show · The New York TimesEpisode; Klein's question on Medicare and Medicaid[02]Candidates for Ohio governor talk about the cure for Ohio's health care affordability problem
Statehouse News Bureau report on Acton's and Ramaswamy's health care positions. It quotes Ramaswamy's Ezra Klein Show answer and two written statements from his campaign.
January 2026
MeidasTouch posts the podcast exchange
Source release
MeidasTouch posts a clip of the exchange from the 2024 interview, now that Ramaswamy is running for Ohio governor.
[03]MeidasTouch on X: 'Were Medicare and Medicaid mistakes?'
MeidasTouch posted this clip of the Medicare and Medicaid exchange from Ramaswamy's October 2024 Ezra Klein Show interview on the evening of January 16, 2026, Eastern time.
MeidasTouch on X: 'Were Medicare and Medicaid mistakes?'X post with videoThe Democratic Governors Association and Acton criticize the remark
Reaction
The Democratic Governors Association circulates the clip and says Ramaswamy endorsed taking health care from millions of Ohioans. Acton writes that a billionaire who flies around Ohio on a private jet called these programs a mistake.
[04]Democratic Governors Association
Democratic Governors Association release on Ramaswamy's Ezra Klein Show remark, with a statement from DGA spokesperson Izzi Levy.
WATCH: Vivek Ramaswamy Says Medicaid and Medicare Were 'Mistakes' · Democratic Governors AssociationPress release[05]Analysis: Ramaswamy called Medicare and Medicaid 'a mistake.' Was that a mistake?
Column by WVXU senior political analyst Howard Wilkinson on Ramaswamy's Ezra Klein Show remark, quoting Acton's social media response. It says Ramaswamy's campaign did not respond to an interview request.
February 2026
Ramaswamy's campaign calls the attacks cherry-picked
Reaction
The Statehouse News Bureau reports that Ramaswamy's campaign calls Acton's attacks blatantly dishonest and based on a cherry-picked 30 seconds from an 80-minute interview. In a written statement, the campaign also says Medicaid is a vital program.
[02]Candidates for Ohio governor talk about the cure for Ohio's health care affordability problem
Statehouse News Bureau report on Acton's and Ramaswamy's health care positions. It quotes Ramaswamy's Ezra Klein Show answer and two written statements from his campaign.
October 2026
Doctors backing Acton cite the remark; Ramaswamy says it was taken out of context
Reaction
After the Ohio State Medical Association's political action committee endorses Ramaswamy, more than a thousand doctors sign a letter backing Acton. The Statehouse News Bureau reports their concern that he could limit access to Medicaid and Medicare, and that Ramaswamy has said the comments were taken out of context.
[06]2026 race for Ohio governor: Candidates have different prescriptions for healthcare
Statehouse News Bureau report on the candidates' health care plans, the Ohio State Medical Association PAC's endorsement of Ramaswamy and a letter from more than a thousand doctors backing Acton.
Acton says Ramaswamy calls Medicare and Medicaid mistakes
Reaction
Acton posts that Ramaswamy calls Medicare and Medicaid mistakes and says that as governor she will fight to protect both programs.
[07]Amy Acton
Amy Acton, the Democratic nominee for Ohio governor, posted this on X on October 23, 2026.
Amy Acton on X: 'Vivek Ramaswamy calls Medicare and Medicaid mistakes' · Amy ActonX post
Response record
Responses
Choose one response filter, or select All responses to see the full record.
3 responses. Newest first.
Amy ActonDemocratic nominee for Ohio governor, posting on XDirectly involvedBefore this statement
In an October 2024 interview on The Ezra Klein Show, Ramaswamy was asked whether Medicaid and Medicare were mistakes and answered 'I believe they were' before singling out Medicaid. Acton's post opens with the line that Ramaswamy calls Medicare and Medicaid mistakes.
"Let me be clear: these programs are lifelines for millions of Ohioans."
CondemnedCase context: Vivek Ramaswamy said in 2024 that Medicare and Medicaid were mistakes; Amy Acton campaigns on the remark, and his campaign calls the attacks cherry-picked
Full statement and sources
Acton writes that Ramaswamy calls Medicare and Medicaid mistakes, that the programs are lifelines for millions of Ohioans, and that as governor she will fight to protect them.
After the statement
In the same post, Acton says that as governor she will fight to protect Medicare and Medicaid and ensure Ohio families have access to affordable care close to home.
Amy Acton on X: 'Vivek Ramaswamy calls Medicare and Medicaid mistakes' · Amy ActonX postWhy this label?
The case concerns Ramaswamy's 2024 answer that Medicare and Medicaid were mistakes. Acton rejects that view, calling the programs lifelines for millions of Ohioans and promising to protect them, which condemns his remark.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Vivek RamaswamyRepublican candidate for Ohio governor, in a statement from his campaignDirectly involvedBefore this statement
The Statehouse News Bureau's February 10, 2026, report says Acton and other Democrats have called out Ramaswamy for his October 2024 answer on the Ezra Klein podcast, when he said Medicaid and Medicare were mistakes.
"attacks from Amy Acton, based on a cherry-picked 30 seconds from an 80-minute interview, are blatantly dishonest, but sadly typical of politics practiced by a government insider who is desperate to preserve the status quo."
Challenged the characterizationCase context: Vivek Ramaswamy said in 2024 that Medicare and Medicaid were mistakes; Amy Acton campaigns on the remark, and his campaign calls the attacks cherry-picked
Full statement and sources
Ramaswamy's campaign says Acton's attacks over his Medicare and Medicaid remark rest on 30 seconds cherry-picked from an 80-minute interview and are blatantly dishonest.
After the statement
Later in the same report, campaign spokesperson Connie Luck says in an updated statement that Acton's 'far-left approach' to health care would drive up costs.
Why this label?
The case concerns Ramaswamy's 2024 answer that Medicare and Medicaid were mistakes. His campaign does not defend that answer as a policy position. It says Acton's use of it is cherry-picked from a longer interview and blatantly dishonest, which disputes how the remark is characterized.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Democratic Governors AssociationPolitical organization of Democratic governors, through spokesperson Izzi LevyBefore this statement
The DGA release says that in newly unearthed footage first shared by MeidasTouch, Ramaswamy said he believed Medicare and Medicaid were a mistake.
"Vivek Ramaswamy didn't even need to think twice before endorsing ripping away health care from millions of Ohioans who get care from Medicaid and Medicare"
CondemnedCase context: Vivek Ramaswamy said in 2024 that Medicare and Medicaid were mistakes; Amy Acton campaigns on the remark, and his campaign calls the attacks cherry-picked
Full statement and sources
The Democratic Governors Association, through spokesperson Izzi Levy, says Ramaswamy endorsed ripping away health care from millions of Ohioans who get care from Medicaid and Medicare and is unqualified to serve as governor.
After the statement
The release says that getting rid of Medicaid and Medicare would take away health care from millions, and Levy adds that Ramaswamy is reminding Ohioans why he is totally unqualified to serve as governor.
WATCH: Vivek Ramaswamy Says Medicaid and Medicare Were 'Mistakes' · Democratic Governors AssociationPress releaseWhy this label?
The case concerns Ramaswamy's 2024 answer that Medicare and Medicaid were mistakes. The DGA treats that answer as endorsing the removal of health care from millions of Ohioans and says it shows he is unqualified to be governor, which condemns it.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Sources
(7)
Interview
Vivek Ramaswamy Has a Different Vision for Trumpism From JD Vance | The Ezra Klein Show
About this source
Full video of Ezra Klein's interview with Vivek Ramaswamy for The New York Times opinion podcast The Ezra Klein Show, released October 29, 2024, before Ramaswamy entered the race for Ohio governor. Klein asks whether Medicare and Medicaid were mistakes early in the conversation.
- Author
- The Ezra Klein Show
- Published
- Accessed
Original post
Amy Acton on X: 'Vivek Ramaswamy calls Medicare and Medicaid mistakes'
About this source
Amy Acton, the Democratic nominee for Ohio governor, posted this on X on October 23, 2026.
- Author
- Amy Acton
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
2026 race for Ohio governor: Candidates have different prescriptions for healthcare
Relevant passage: Article
About this source
Statehouse News Bureau report on the candidates' health care plans, the Ohio State Medical Association PAC's endorsement of Ramaswamy and a letter from more than a thousand doctors backing Acton.
- Author
- Jo Ingles
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Candidates for Ohio governor talk about the cure for Ohio's health care affordability problem
Relevant passage: Article
About this source
Statehouse News Bureau report on Acton's and Ramaswamy's health care positions. It quotes Ramaswamy's Ezra Klein Show answer and two written statements from his campaign.
- Author
- Jo Ingles
- Published
- Accessed
Analysis
Analysis: Ramaswamy called Medicare and Medicaid 'a mistake.' Was that a mistake?
Relevant passage: Article
About this source
Column by WVXU senior political analyst Howard Wilkinson on Ramaswamy's Ezra Klein Show remark, quoting Acton's social media response. It says Ramaswamy's campaign did not respond to an interview request.
- Author
- Howard Wilkinson
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
WATCH: Vivek Ramaswamy Says Medicaid and Medicare Were 'Mistakes'
Relevant passage: Press release
About this source
Democratic Governors Association release on Ramaswamy's Ezra Klein Show remark, with a statement from DGA spokesperson Izzi Levy.
- Author
- Democratic Governors Association
- Published
- Accessed
Original post
MeidasTouch on X: 'Were Medicare and Medicaid mistakes?'
About this source
MeidasTouch posted this clip of the Medicare and Medicaid exchange from Ramaswamy's October 2024 Ezra Klein Show interview on the evening of January 16, 2026, Eastern time.
- Author
- MeidasTouch
- Published
- Accessed
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Cite this record
- Publisher
- The Dispute Index
- Title
- Vivek Ramaswamy said in 2024 that Medicare and Medicaid were mistakes; Amy Acton campaigns on the remark, and his campaign calls the attacks cherry-picked
- First published
- Last updated
- Permalink
- https://disputeindex.com/cases/ramaswamy-medicare-medicaid-mistakes
The Dispute Index. "Vivek Ramaswamy said in 2024 that Medicare and Medicaid were mistakes; Amy Acton campaigns on the remark, and his campaign calls the attacks cherry-picked". First published: 2026-10-30. Last updated: 2026-10-30. https://disputeindex.com/cases/ramaswamy-medicare-medicaid-mistakes