What stakeholders are saying about Medicaid’s new work requirements: 10 notable quotes
Starting next New Year’s Day, many Medicaid beneficiaries will need to show they’re working at least 80 hours per month in order to continue qualifying for the means-tested public assistance.
In lieu of a paying job, affected individuals can substitute 80 hours of school attendance, community volunteerism or a work-training program.
CMS announced the “interim final” rule June 1. Before it’s formally finalized, members of the public can weigh in with comments between now and July 31.
But folks are not waiting. Supporters, detractors and impartial observers were quick to register their stance to the press and on social media before sundown Monday.
Here’s a sampling of 10 views expressed so far—or rather nine views and one timeout.
‘We’re forgiving, but we’re not foolish. We are appropriately going after problem areas and doing it in a way that’s compassionate and forgiving, but we don’t want to be false.’
—CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz, MD, MBA
‘Congress promised that no cancer patients would lose their coverage under the One Big Beautiful Bill. This rule undercuts that promise.’
—Blood Cancer United CEO Gwen Nichols, MD
‘Work requirements help protect finite Medicaid resources for those who cannot work due to disability, frailty or caregiving responsibilities while promoting independence for those who can.’
‘Instead of lowering costs or making care more accessible, Republicans are weaponizing government bureaucracy against the American people. … Hospitals will suffer, providers will be pushed further to the brink, and families across the country will pay the price while Republicans once again put wealthy donors and corporate greed ahead of the health and wellbeing of everyday Americans.’
—Protect Our Care President Brad Woodhouse
‘We had to make cuts this year. We’re probably going to have to make cuts next year. … I think in the long run we’ll be in better shape [for having encouraged people to find jobs with private health insurance benefits].’
‘[W]e’ll be kicking people off of healthcare. And when people don’t have healthcare coverage, they will come in sicker, and they’ll come in later. Hospitals will be burdened with caring for them, regardless, and they’ll be uncompensated.”
—Minnesota State Senator Matt Klein (D)
‘As with any policy intervention, benefits are contingent on how states implement the requirements. However, the key takeaway is that if implemented appropriately and with enough employment opportunities, these requirements could increase work and overall earnings among Medicaid recipients subject to them.’
—HHS’s Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
‘Instead of focusing on programs to help Pennsylvanians achieve and maintain health, this [rule will further force] our teams to focus on programs that will help people complete paperwork.’
—Pennsylvania Secretary of Health and Human Services Valerie Arkoosh, MD, MPH
‘States will decide which optional exemptions to offer and, for medical care-related hardship exemptions, how to define these exemptions and the process for requesting and verifying an exemption. Ensuring that all exemptions are offered and that eligible individuals can successfully receive these will be crucial to safeguarding Medicaid coverage for eligible people.’
—The American Medical Association
‘The AHA is reviewing the rule and will issue a Regulatory Advisory to members.’
—The American Hospital Association
Dave P. has worked in journalism, marketing and public relations for more than 30 years, frequently concentrating on hospitals, healthcare technology and Catholic communications. He has also specialized in fundraising communications, ghostwriting for CEOs of local, national and global charities, nonprofits and foundations.