Healthcare

Judge Upholds Medicaid Work Rules

Are Medicaid work requirements a necessary reform or a bureaucratic trap that will strip millions of coverage?

Published 1 hour ago

Story

Above: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services office in Woodlawn, Maryland, on Dec. 28, 2010. Image credit: Jay Mallin/Bloomberg/Getty Images

The Spin

Democratic narrative

The Medicaid work requirement rule is projected to strip coverage from millions, not because they refuse to work, but because of paperwork traps. The chronically ill are now forced to navigate a new labyrinthine system that could kick the eligible off the rolls, regardless, thanks to the slapdash nature of these changes. Medically frail enrollees now face extra hoops Congress never mandated.

STAT Health Affairs

Republican narrative

Able-bodied adults receiving taxpayer-funded health care should work, volunteer or attend school, and guardrails exist to protect the program from fraud. What's more, this rule is to improve the well-being of recipients, as only the dignity of work can help lead to greater long-term health outcomes. Entitlement reform is popular, necessary and will help all Americans by making the system more efficient.

Heritage Foundation The Hill