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U.S. gives states another 6 months before they have to remove people from Medicaid for not working
PBS • • nation
Key Points:
- The Trump administration announced states can delay removing Medicaid beneficiaries for failing to meet new work requirements until July 1, despite the policy taking effect nationally on January 1.
- States must still assess whether enrollees meet the work, school, or volunteer criteria, but the extension allows more time to address implementation challenges such as staffing and technology.
- The work requirement applies only to Medicaid expansion enrollees, with exemptions for seniors, caregivers, and medically frail individuals; critics argue paperwork burdens may cause more coverage losses than actual non-compliance.
- Some states, like Nebraska, have already implemented the requirements, where preliminary data shows many lost coverage due to failure to provide proof rather than not meeting work conditions.
- The delay provides political breathing room as incoming Democratic lawmakers seek to roll back the requirements, and follows legal rulings protecting medically frail beneficiaries from the mandate.
