EXCLUSIVE: Rick Scott’s Plan to Raise Taxes and Potentially End Social Security and Medicare Is Massively Unpopular, Poll Shows

Florida Sen. Rick Scott, who is in charge of winning back control of the US Senate for the Republican Party, introduced a plan that would raise taxes and could end Social Security and Medicare for 4.8 million of his own constituents, and eliminate Medicaid coverage for another 4.5 million Floridians. 

Did you know that the Republican senator in charge of winning back control of the Senate for his party introduced a plan to increase taxes on millions of Floridians and put Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and the Affordable Care Act in jeopardy? 

If you answered ‘no,’ you’re not alone. According to a new Courier Newsroom/Data for Progress poll, 94% of likely voters said they have heard little or nothing at all about Florida Sen. Rick Scott’s 60-page plan to “Rescue America,” with 72% hearing nothing at all. 

When voters learn about Scott’s plan though, they overwhelmingly oppose it, with 71% of respondents, including 62% of Republicans, opposing Scott’s plan. Only 15% of likely voters support the plan.

Such opposition is not exactly surprising, since the Republican’s plan would raise taxes on tens of millions of Americans and “sunset” all federal legislation in five years, requiring Congress to re-authorize every federal law, including those governing Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. This could create an opening for Republicans—who have long sought to undermine the programs—to ultimately kill them. 

If Scott’s plan were to become law, it could:

• End Social Security and Medicare for 4.8 million Floridians
• End Medicaid coverage for 4.5 million state residents
• Raise taxes on 41% of Floridians, according to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy 
• Raise taxes on 57% of small businesses in the state, with the typical business paying an extra $1400 per year in taxes, according to a White House analysis.

“It doesn’t surprise me to see one of the wealthiest members of the United States Senate—who also made millions committing Medicare fraud—now wants to increase taxes on everyday people,” said Florida Rep. Anna Eskamani (D-District 47). “It’s a foolish plan that does nothing to save families money and instead increases taxes on working people while allowing corporate tax loopholes to persist. We should be giving the American people a fair shake, not increase their taxes and let corporations continue to exploit a broken system that leaves way too many folks behind. 

Scott—who in 2018 was worth $260 million—has defended his plan, even as it could have potentially devastating consequences for seniors, families, and the most vulnerable Floridians.

The survey of 1,110 likely voters, which was conducted from April 30 to May 3, 2022 also shows that the proposal from the Chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee—the “only national organization dedicated to taking back the Senate majority”—could be electoral poison for Republicans. 

US Rep. Charlie Crist (D-St. Petersburg), who is running against Gov. Ron DeSantis in November, also sees Scott’s plan as one of several bad decisions coming from the GOP. “From Governor DeSantis’ attacks on Disney to Senator Scott’s tax hike plan, Florida’s GOP leaders are trying to raise taxes on hard-working Floridians already being squeezed by Florida’s affordability crisis. Floridians are left paying the price for their political stunts, and it’s wrong,” Crist said. “As governor, I’ll work to make Florida more affordable and always put the interests of everyday Floridians first.”

Forty-seven percent of independent voters said Scott’s plan would make them less likely to vote for Republican candidates for Congress in November, while only 12% said it would make them more likely to vote for him and 41% said it wouldn’t impact their choice.