STAT+: Enforcement of stringent Medicaid work requirements delayed for six months

States had been racing to prepare their Medicaid systems by Jan. 1 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz.Tierney L. Cross/Getty Images John writes about the politics of health care, and he is the author of the twice-weekly D.C. Diagnosis newsletter. You can reach John on Signal at John_Wilkerson.07. WASHINGTON — The Trump administration announced Friday that it is giving states an additional six months to begin enforcing Medicaid work requirements. States have been racing to prepare their Medicaid systems by Jan. 1 to include the work requirements passed last year in the One Big Beautiful Bill. The legislation required states that expanded Medicaid after Democrats passed the Affordable Care Act to ensure all working-age recipients without dependent children are employed, in school, or volunteering at least 80 hours each month, unless they are disabled, caring for young children, or “medically frail.” A federal judge recently rejected the federal government’s medical frailty definition and ruled that states did not have adequate time or resources to overhaul their eligibility systems. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus daily intelligence on Capitol Hill and the life sciences industry — by subscribing to STAT+. Already have an account? Log in View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe John writes about the politics of health care, and he is the author of the twice-weekly D.C. Diagnosis newsletter. You can reach John on Signal at John_Wilkerson.07.