States gird for new Medicaid ‘medically frail’ rule

State Medicaid programs are bracing for potential coverage losses among vulnerable enrollees as the Trump administration tightens the criteria for being deemed "medically frail," which allows exemptions from new work requirements. This change under the tax and spending law enacted last year could leave many sick and disabled individuals without Medicaid coverage, raising significant concerns among state agencies. The implications are vast, as this could lead to a spike in uninsured rates among the most vulnerable populations, affecting their access to essential healthcare services. This shift underscores the ongoing tension between federal policy changes and state-level healthcare needs.