New Medicaid reforms are implementing work requirements for beneficiaries, aiming to foster independence through employment or training and address concerns about waste and abuse.



Most Americans are in agreement that waste, fraud, and abuse, especially in healthcare programs, is unacceptable. In fact, in a survey conducted by Paragon Health Institute, over nine-in-ten voters said that they would support Congress cracking down on waste, fraud, and abuse in federal healthcare programs. And that is a part of what led to the changes that are taking place in Medicaid.

Reforms Intended to Create New Opportunities
“The Working Families Tax Cut legislation made historic changes to the Medicaid program, and CMS is working closely with states to put those changes into action,” CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz told Newsweek. “This rule helps Americans build skills and independence through work, education, job training, or community service, creating new opportunities for themselves and their families.”

This is not the only federal program with work requirements. Other well-known programs that have work requirements include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).

The new requirements will be applicable to those between the ages of 19 – 64 who are non-Medicare enrollees. However, individuals who are pregnant, in a postpartum period, disabled, medically frail, parents and caretakers of children under 14, or people with disabilities, American Indians, Alaska Natives, or former foster care youth are exempt. There are also other groups who may be exempt, according to CMS.gov.

Those who aren’t exempt will be required to work 80 hours per month, and each state will verify that individuals who aren’t exempt from the work requirement are actually working in a work program or participating in community service. If individuals are enrolled in an educational program, they can have their work requirement reduced by up to half. If the state can’t verify that a person is working, they can have their Medicaid benefits revoked.

Churches and Christian Ministries as a Community Service Option
At this time, working in a 501(c) (3) is considered a form of community service, and a church or Christian ministry with that status can qualify for a person’s work requirement. So this can be a great opportunity for churches to reach out to their community in a new and unique way.

Dan Smith, Director of Operations of Josiah White’s Quakerdale Foundation, lauded the requirement as something that’s potentially “practical” in spite of being something that’s “potentially political” in a recent podcast with the organization.

Robert C. Talbot, Executive Director of Josiah White’s Quakerdale Foundation, suggested that, “Maybe at some point in time that pastors or local leaders, business people, nonprofit leaders, might make themselves available if they have some things that they need some help with, that would also be a good opportunity for at least folks to be able to choose something meaningful to them.”

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