House Republicans’ Medicaid work requirement may leave almost half a million poor Americans without health insurance.
One of the dozens of sections in a Republican package to extend the debt ceiling but cut spending for a decade. The bill will likely fail. House Republicans are trying to encourage Democrats to negotiate to avoid a financial disaster.
To Whom Would Labor Be Required?
Able-bodied persons between the ages of 19 and 55 who do not have any dependents are expected to work, participate in job training or conduct community service in order to maintain their Medicaid coverage. To keep their government health insurance, they would need to work 80 hours every month.
The Congressional Budget Office predicts that 15% of the 84 million persons currently enrolled in Medicaid would be affected. However, millions more, or roughly a third of all enrollees, are expected to be working, according to the Health and Human Services Department.
How many people who would be compelled to work choose not to or fail to fill out the necessary paperwork to be insured will have a major impact on the answer to this question.
Over the next decade, the regulations are expected to save taxpayers around $109 billion, according to the Congressional Budget Office. About 600,000 people would be removed from Medicaid, and another 900,000 would remain enrolled through their state but lose federal funding for their Medicaid.
According to the study, the plan also wouldn’t do anything to help Medicaid recipients find jobs.
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Work Requirement Controversy
Democrats fear that Medicaid recipients may be unfairly disqualified if job requirements are implemented.
Medicaid recipients who are also required to work may find themselves in a difficult position. Over the past three years, no one has been denied enrollment in Medicaid due to the pandemic.
However, in April, the federal government mandated that states review the income eligibility of all Medicaid enrollees to determine who is now earning too much to be eligible for the health care benefits.
Read more: US House Republican Legislation Would Increase Mandatory Job Requirements