### States Push Medicaid Work Rules, But Few Programs Help Enrollees Find Jobs
Republican-led states like Ohio, Iowa, and Montana are pushing for Medicaid work requirements, arguing that mandating employment would reduce dependency on public assistance. However, while some success stories exist—like Eric Wunderlin, who found stable work with the help of his Medicaid plan—most Medicaid recipients already work or face barriers like caregiving or illness. Nearly two-thirds of enrollees are employed, but many lack health benefits, according to KFF. Critics argue that work requirements risk stripping coverage from vulnerable populations without improving job prospects.
### Limited Success in Job Assistance Programs
Efforts to help Medicaid recipients secure better jobs have seen mixed results. Arkansas’ work requirement led to over 18,000 people losing coverage before being struck down in 2019, with little evidence of increased employment. Some states, like California and Ohio, require Medicaid insurers to offer job training, but tracking outcomes remains inconsistent. Meanwhile, Montana’s promising job-training program collapsed after privatization, now serving just 11 people. Health plans often lack incentives to help enrollees find higher-paying jobs, as they may no longer qualify for Medicaid.
### Alternative Approaches Show Promise
Some Medicaid programs, like CareSource’s JobConnect and UPMC’s Pathways to Work, have helped thousands find stable employment. California’s Medicaid expansion includes job assistance for high-risk enrollees, though employment data is lacking. Conservative groups argue that more state experimentation is needed, while advocates stress that economic mobility requires support—not punitive measures. With federal funding for Medicaid expansion at risk, the debate over work requirements continues, highlighting the need for effective solutions that balance employment incentives with healthcare access.
Ez a cikk a Neural News AI (V1) verziójával készült.
Forrás: https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/04/15/nx-s1-5361491/medicaid-work-requirements.