Medicaid work rules begin rolling out ahead of Jan. 1 deadline
NBC News is seeking accounts from patients, providers and advocates as new Medicaid work requirements take effect in some states.
By Frankie Delgado · News Reporter
2 min read
A new Medicaid work mandate is already taking effect in some states, with the rules scheduled to be in place nationwide by Jan. 1, NBC News reported Monday.
The law was passed last year as part of the Trump administration’s “big, beautiful bill,” according to NBC News. It requires some Medicaid participants to spend at least 80 hours each month working, volunteering or attending school.
The requirements apply to some Medicaid patients in states that expanded access under the Affordable Care Act, NBC News reported. The rules have already rolled out in Nebraska and some other states.
Some groups are exempt. NBC News reported that people who are pregnant or medically frail are among those who do not have to meet the monthly work, volunteer or school requirement.
Coverage worries as rules expand
Experts have warned that the administrative burden on states could cause millions of people to lose Medicaid coverage, according to NBC News, including some people who should still qualify for the program.
The concern centers on how states carry out the new rules as they expand from early rollout states to the rest of the country. NBC News did not name the experts in its request for accounts, but said they have raised alarms about the effect of the mandate on coverage.
NBC News reporter Elizabeth Chuck said the outlet wants to speak with patients, medical providers and health care advocates about what they are seeing as the new Medicaid requirements take hold.
The outlet is asking people who are subject to the requirements, or who know someone at risk of losing coverage, to share their experiences. NBC News said it is seeking accounts from people affected directly, as well as from those seeing effects in their communities.
The request comes as the work mandate moves from state-level rollout to a national deadline. By Jan. 1, according to NBC News, the requirements are expected to be implemented across the country.
Chuck, who covers health and mental health for NBC News, said the outlet is looking for stories from patients, providers and advocates as it continues reporting on the policy change.
This story draws on original reporting from NBC News.