Amy Goldstein
January 12, 2018

The Trump Administration has implemented a way for states to require residents to have a job in order to receive Medicaid benefits. As of today, Kentucky is the first state to put “work requirements” into effect. The administration makes the claim that work promotes good health.

Advocates of increased access to healthcare warn that this move can have detrimental effects on low-income people with health issues. They argue that “by taking away crucial healthcare, ‘work requirements’ make it harder for low-income people to
find and maintain gainful employment.”

Leonardo Cuello, health policy director at the National Health Law Program, was quoted saying of the administration’s justification “It’s a little like saying that rain causes clouds. It’s more that people [with Medicaid] get care, which helps them be healthy and makes them able to work.”

Trump administration opens door to states imposing Medicaid work requirements
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Organizations mentioned/involved: National Health Law Program (NHeLP)