STAT+: States sue Trump administration again to delay Medicaid work requirements

The Trump administration is facing another lawsuit over its sweeping changes to Medicaid less than a week after a federal judge ruled that implementation of work requirements would cause “irreparable harm.” The complaint from four states, filed Thursday, alleges that the overhaul will lead to “irreparable sovereign, fiscal, and public-health harms” and that the administration does not have the authority to force states to implement these changes. Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield filed the suit in the U.S. District Court in Oregon, joined by Minnesota, New Mexico, and Washington. The lawsuit arrives less than 60 days before the Jan. 1 deadline outlined in Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill, which passed in 2025. It would require a Medicaid recipient to work, volunteer, or attend school for 80 hours a month to keep health insurance, with a few exceptions for disability. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news alerts. Already have an account? Log in View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe