The "Jobs and Opportunities for Medicaid Act" mandates able-bodied adults to meet a minimum work requirement of 20 hours per week to be eligible for Medicaid starting January 1, 2026, with certain exemptions.
John Kennedy
Senator
LA
The "Jobs and Opportunities for Medicaid Act" introduces a work requirement for able-bodied adults aged 18 to 65 to be eligible for Medicaid, beginning January 1, 2026. These adults must work or volunteer at least 20 hours per week, on average, to maintain their medical assistance. Certain individuals, such as those medically unfit for employment, pregnant, primary caretakers, or those in treatment programs, are exempt from this requirement.
Medicaid Overhaul Ties Benefits to Work Hours Starting 2026: New Rules Target Able-Bodied Adults
The "Jobs and Opportunities for Medicaid Act" aims to fundamentally change who qualifies for Medicaid. Starting January 1, 2026, the bill mandates that "able-bodied adults" must work or volunteer at least 20 hours per week, averaged monthly, to receive medical assistance. (SEC. 2)
Tightening the Reins
This bill changes the game by adding a work requirement to Medicaid eligibility. It defines "able-bodied adults" as those aged 18 to 65, excluding individuals who are medically unfit, pregnant, primary caretakers of children under 6 or children with serious medical conditions/disabilities, receiving unemployment, or in drug/alcohol treatment programs. Everyone else has to hit that 20-hour mark to keep their benefits.
Real-World Rollout
Imagine a single parent working part-time at a retail store while taking care of an older child. If they can't consistently clock in 20 hours every week, they might lose their health coverage. Or consider a construction worker who relies on seasonal jobs – if work dries up for a month, their Medicaid could be on the line, too. This bill could directly impact folks who rely on consistent hours to prove eligibility and stay covered.
The Verification Challenge
How exactly will states track those volunteer hours? The bill doesn't provide clear guidance on this, opening up potential headaches for both Medicaid recipients and administrators. It also raises questions about what counts as "volunteering," which could lead to inconsistencies in how the rule is applied.
Ripple Effects
This bill could create a situation where people are forced to take on any available job, regardless of pay or conditions, just to keep their healthcare. It also means more paperwork and verification processes for state agencies, potentially diverting resources from other essential services. While the bill aims to encourage work, it might end up penalizing those who already struggle to find stable employment, especially in areas with limited job opportunities or for people with inconsistent work schedules, like gig workers or those in seasonal industries.