*First SNAP, now this …
Holding on to government-funded healthcare just got harder. The feds just announced a policy shift on eligibility requirements that will affect millions of Medicaid recipients.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services/CMS has issued fresh guidance to states on implementing Medicaid eligibility rules, mandating that most able-bodied adults aged 19 to 64 complete and report at least 80 hours per month of qualifying activities—such as paid employment, job training programs, school attendance, community service, or volunteering—to maintain coverage.
According to administration officials, work requirements were added to reduce fraudulent claims, improve personal responsibility, and boost employment. Head of CMS, Dr. Mehmet Oz, says it is about helping those who can work to contribute through community engagement.
“For far too long, too many Americans who are able to work have been left isolated and discouraged by programs that don’t encourage their potential. These reforms send a clear message: you have agency, your contributions matter, and we will support you on the path to purpose and prosperity,” Dr. Oz said.
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This stems from the Working Families Tax Cut (WFTC) Act, signed into law on July 4, 2025, as part of a broader budget reconciliation package under President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill.” Dubbed one of the “most significant Medicaid eligibility and financing changes in more than a decade” by CMS, the legislation aims to align Medicaid with longstanding work requirements in programs like SNAP (food stamps) and TANF (cash assistance), promoting self-sufficiency while trimming federal spending by an estimated $700 billion over 10 years.
States are expected to implement the community engagement requirements by January 1, 2027, Compliance must be verified during eligibility renewals, now bumped up to every six months for this group (from the current annual cycle), using reliable data sources like payroll records or state databases before burdening enrollees with extra forms. Exemptions abound for the vulnerable: parents or guardians of children under 6 (or under 13 with special needs).
Sign up for Medicare: SSA
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