Medicaid work rule leaves homeless people in the cold
In the spring, the federal government finalized regulations requiring millions of people who receive Medicaid benefits to prove they're working, volunteering or going to school to keep their coverage.
The federal government has finalized new Medicaid work requirements, forcing millions of recipients to prove they are working, volunteering, or in school to maintain coverage. States have until January to begin these checks. However, the rules do not automatically exempt homelessness, leaving thousands of homeless individuals to document their situation as proof of inability to work.
This requirement may prove difficult for homeless people who often lack stable employment or formal records. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services declined to comment on the record, confirming that states must adhere to the federal list of exemptions. In the U.S., homelessness has increased by 27% from 2013 to 2025, resulting in approximately 746,000 people currently without stable housing.
Medicaid coverage is crucial for many homeless individuals, as about 55% of patients receiving medical or behavioral health services through Health Care for the Homeless programs are enrolled in Medicaid. The new regulations have caught many states, even those supporting work requirements, off guard. Federal officials argue that the medical frailty standard could make it too difficult for enrollees to meet the requirements.
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- Medicaid Work Rule Leaves Homeless People in the Cold kffhealthnews.org
