Particle.news
Download on the App Store
5 ARTICLES
·
3d ago

Senate Debates GOP Work Requirement That Could Strip Medicaid Coverage

Experts warn the 80-hour monthly mandate may prompt mass Medicaid disenrollment due to complex reporting.

Kimberly Gallagher gave up guardianship of her son, Daniel, so she could work as his caregiver. The excruciating decision was prompted by Medicaid rules about who could be compensated for the work. As congressional Republicans consider slashing $793 billion in federal Medicaid spending, Gallagher is among the 18.5 million Americans who could be required to prove that they work enough to keep their health insurance.
Image

Overview

  • Senate lawmakers are reviewing a budget resolution that would impose an 80-hour monthly work, schooling or volunteer requirement on Medicaid expansion enrollees in 40 states and D.C.
  • Nonpartisan CBO projections show the House work mandate could cut coverage for about five million adults by 2034, and analysts caution the Senate plan may trigger hundreds of thousands of immediate disenrollments.
  • Studies from the Urban Institute and KFF indicate over 90% of working-age expansion enrollees already meet the proposed criteria through employment, caregiving, education or disability.
  • Arkansas and Georgia waivers demonstrate that implementing work reporting rules can disconnect tens of thousands without boosting employment, largely due to administrative hurdles.
  • Families like Kimberly Gallagher’s face tough choices—such as relinquishing legal guardianship to be paid caregivers—and fear losing vital in-home supports under the new requirements.