Medicaid Employment Mandates May Disrupt Health Coverage for One Million Californians

If Congress enacts a contentious proposal mandating work hour reporting to maintain Medicaid, over a million of California's most vulnerable residents risk losing their health insurance. The recently advanced budget bill from the U.S. House seeks to impose work reporting for adults under 65 without children or disabilities. The Urban Institute estimates that around one-third of this demographic in California could lose coverage, equating to 1.2 to 1.4 million individuals by 2026. Proponents, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, argue work requirements have a "moral component." However, critics cite failures in states like Arkansas and New Hampshire, where similar policies resulted in significant coverage losses. Opponents, such as Rep. Laura Friedman, assert these requirements jeopardize access to care, potentially escalating healthcare costs and compromising community health services.