New Medicaid Rules Could Kick Millions Off Coverage—Are You at Risk?

There’s a new bill in Congress that could shake things up for a lot of people on Medicaid. Basically, it wants to make able-bodied adults prove they’re working or doing certain activities if they want to keep their health coverage. It’s part of a big effort by House Republicans to cut federal spending, but it’s causing a lot of concern and questions.

So, What’s the Bill About?

Here’s the gist:

• Starting in 2029, if you’re between 19 and 64 and on Medicaid, you’d need to work at least 80 hours a month or do things like job training or volunteering. If you don’t, you could lose your Medicaid benefits.

• If you make above the poverty line, you might have to pay up to $35 for some doctor visits and services (but don’t worry, things like emergency visits, pregnancy care, kids’ check-ups, and regular health check-ins would still be free).

• Oh, and if you own a home worth more than $1 million, you might not be able to get Medicaid anymore.

Why Does This Matter?

Medicaid helps millions of people who can’t afford health insurance, including folks who might not be able to work for all sorts of reasons. This bill targets “able-bodied” adults, but that’s a pretty big group, and these new rules could affect a lot of people’s coverage.

Experts say this could cause around 8.6 million people to lose their Medicaid coverage. That’s a huge number of folks who rely on Medicaid or health subsidies to get care.

What’s the Concern?

People who don’t like the bill point out some important stuff:

• In places like Arkansas, where they tried similar rules, lots of people lost their coverage — not because they didn’t want to work, but because the rules were confusing and hard to follow.

• These work requirements didn’t actually get more people working, which was supposed to be the goal.

• Losing Medicaid often means skipping doctor visits or medicine, which can lead to bigger health problems down the road.

What’s the Political Situation?

The bill made it through a House committee but still has a bumpy road ahead:

• Some Republican senators aren’t thrilled about cutting Medicaid.

• Former President Trump might veto the bill if it doesn’t change.

Bottom line: It’s not a done deal yet.

What Are People Saying?

Most Americans aren’t fans of these Medicaid cuts. Polls show about three out of four people don’t want Medicaid scaled back — and this isn’t just a political thing; it’s pretty much everyone.

Healthcare is something people care about, and many are worried about how these changes could hurt vulnerable folks.

What Happens Next?

This bill is still moving through Congress, and there’ll be lots of debate. If you or someone you know depends on Medicaid, it’s a good idea to stay updated.

Changes like these can seriously impact your healthcare access and costs — so keep an eye on what’s happening and get ready to ask questions or speak up if you need to.