Bean, Hageman Push Medicaid Work Requirements

WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Congressman Aaron Bean (FL-04) and U.S. Congresswoman Harriet Hageman (WY-At-Large) introduced a bill to reform work requirements for able-bodied Americans. The requirements apply to adults receiving Medicaid benefits who are not in school and have no dependents. This bill would help lift millions off government dependence, save taxpayer dollars, and put America on the path of fiscal responsibility. 

“Work is an honorable enterprise, and it promotes a dignified pathway out of poverty. Yet today, there are more than 1.5 million able-bodied adults on Medicaid who are not working. We can’t keep asking hardworking Americans to pay for services for their neighbors who refuse to work,” said Congressman Bean. “Imposing work requirements on able-bodied adults without a dependent is not only common sense, but it would allow working Americans to keep more of their hard-earned money.” 

“These requirements are reasonable and flexible, allowing beneficiaries to meet eligibility in a variety of ways. By encouraging work, community service, or skill development, we can empower individuals to break free from the cycle of dependency and take control of their futures,” said Congresswoman Hageman.

BACKGROUND

• As the number of people on Medicaid has increased to more than 93 million, the labor force participation rate has decreased to 62.5%.
• Specifically, this legislation would require able-bodied adults without dependents, to work, volunteer, enroll in a school or a job training program for 80 hours a month to be eligible for Medicaid benefits.
• The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated similar able-bodied work requirements for Medicaid benefits would save taxpayers $109 billion over the next decade.

Read the bill text HERE.

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