Medicaid Work Requirements Will Affect 1.7M Beneficiaries in 10 States

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President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order calling for work requirements for people receiving Medicaid, and other social services.

Prior to the President’s order, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released new policy guidance in January. The agency said it will support state efforts to make work participation and other community engagement a requirement for certain Medicaid beneficiaries.

The CMS already received requests from ten states seeking to change eligibility standards for Medicaid. The states included community engagement, community service, regular employment, or enrollment in an educational program as a requirement for Medicaid beneficiaries.

So far, three states including Arkansas, Indiana, and Kentucky received approval from CMS. The seven other states waiting for the agency’s approval include Arizona, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Utah, and Wisconsin.  The states are requiring certain beneficiaries to work at least 20 hours per week.