Nebraska becomes first U.S. state to enact Medicaid work requirements
Summary
Nebraska became the first U.S. state to enforce work requirements for Medicaid recipients under the expansion program, requiring enrollees to work, volunteer, or attend school for at least 80 hours a month. These rules could cause tens of thousands of people in Nebraska to lose Medicaid coverage, and other states plan to start similar policies soon.Key Facts
- Nebraska implemented Medicaid work requirements seven months before the federal deadline.
- The rules apply to Medicaid expansion enrollees aged 19 to 64.
- Enrollees must prove they work, volunteer in the community, or attend school at least part-time (80 hours/month).
- Exemptions exist for people with medical problems, pregnant women, and caregivers of disabled persons.
- The Urban Institute estimates up to 25,000 Nebraskans could lose their coverage due to the new rules.
- Three other states—Iowa, Montana, and Nebraska—plan to enact similar requirements this year.
- States are still awaiting federal guidance on how to define and verify "medically frail" enrollees, one of the exemption groups.
- Some states will use artificial intelligence to help process paperwork and verify eligibility.
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