Key facts about the U.S. national debt
Private investors are the biggest holders of national debt – $24.4 trillion as of March 2025 – followed by federal trust funds and retirement programs.
Social Security & Medicare
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Social Security & Medicare
Publications
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What the data says about Medicaid
The joint federal-state health insurance program covered 71.4 million Americans as of January 2025.
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What the data says about Social Security
Most U.S. adults said Social Security benefits shouldn’t be reduced in any way – a view broadly shared across ages, racial and ethnic groups, partisan affiliations and income brackets.
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Americans’ Views of Government’s Role: Persistent Divisions and Areas of Agreement
Most Biden supporters favor a bigger government with a strong social safety net. Trump backers generally take the opposing view.
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What the data says about food stamps in the U.S.
The food stamp program is one of the larger federal social welfare initiatives, and in its current form has been around for nearly six decades.
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Public’s Top Priority for 2022: Strengthening the Nation’s Economy
Dealing with coronavirus has declined as a policy priority, especially among Republicans. This marks a shift from last year, when the economy and the coronavirus both topped the public’s policy agenda.
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Increasing share of Americans favor a single government program to provide health care coverage
63% of U.S. adults say the government has the responsibility to provide health care coverage for all, up slightly from 59% last year.
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Democrats differ over best way to provide health coverage for all Americans
While Democrats broadly say the government has a responsibility to ensure health care coverage for all Americans, they are divided over how to achieve this.
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Looking to the Future, Public Sees an America in Decline on Many Fronts
When Americans peer 30 years into the future, they see a country in decline economically, politically and on the world stage.
