CMS allowed states to postpone enforcing Medicaid work requirements for six months
The Trump administration is giving states the option of delaying enforcement of Medicaid work requirements for six months, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said Friday. The rules still take effect Jan. 1, but states using the delay must begin checking then and people will not lose coverage for failing to comply before July.
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CMS called the period a “hold harmless” window and said it would give states time to update systems and processes. In a letter, the agency cited feedback about impediments to launching the rules at scale, including policy updates, operations and readiness. States have until June 30, 2027, to set up verification systems, Politico reported.
The law requires many working-age adults to show at least 80 hours a month of work, volunteering or school to keep Medicaid, unless they qualify for an exemption. States that do not use the delay may proceed with disenrollments in January, Politico reported.
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Reporting behind this story
- NBC News — Trump administration delays Medicaid work requirements by six months
- Politico — Trump administration allows states six more months to stand up Medicaid work rules
- The New York Times — Trump Administration Delays Enforcement of Medicaid Work Requirement
- The Hill — Trump administration delays Medicaid work requirement enforcement
- Mezha — Trump administration delays Medicaid work requirements by six months
- NOTUS — Trump Administration Will Delay Medicaid Work Requirement Enforcement
- Political Wire — Trump Lets States Slow Walk Medicaid Work Rules
- statnews.com — Trump administration delays Medicaid work requirements for 6 months