Bill proposes work requirements for able-bodied adults receiving Medicaid

Congressman Dan Crenshaw of Texas and Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana, along with Eric Schmitt of Missouri, have introduced a new bill aimed at adding work requirements to Medicaid. The proposed legislation, titled the Jobs and Opportunities for Medicaid Act (H.R. 1059), would mandate that able-bodied adults without dependents who receive Medicaid benefits work or volunteer for at least 20 hours per week. This measure is projected to save taxpayers over $100 billion in the next decade.

"The goal of this bill is straightforward: if you’re a healthy adult on Medicaid, we want to make sure you have every opportunity to find employment that leads to better health coverage," stated Congressman Crenshaw. He emphasized the importance of empowering Americans by helping them achieve independence and success in the workforce.

Senator Kennedy also expressed support for the bill, saying, "Medicaid doesn’t work the way it should. Able-bodied adults without dependents are better off with jobs than with hand-outs, and so are their communities and American taxpayers." He believes this act will help millions escape poverty.

The U.S. has experienced a decline in labor force participation since 2000 while seeing an increase in able-bodied adults enrolled in Medicaid. According to estimates from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), about 15 million Medicaid recipients would be affected by these work requirements under similar policies. The CBO projects savings of $109 billion over ten years due to these changes.

A survey conducted by Axios-Ipsos in 2023 found that 63% of Americans support work requirements for programs like Medicaid and Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program benefits, including nearly half of Democrats surveyed.

Crenshaw's proposal is designed to align with budget reconciliation procedures, allowing fiscal measures to pass through the Senate with a simple majority rather than requiring a 60-vote threshold. This approach ensures compliance with budgetary implications as dictated by the Byrd rule.

For further details on the legislation, readers can access the full text of the bill online.