Trump Administration Issues Medicaid Work Requirement Rules
New federal rules require states to verify 80 hours of monthly work or training for Medicaid eligibility. The policy allows exemptions for certain medical conditions while tightening definitions of frailty.
The HillThe Trump administration published new rules late Monday directing states on how to implement Medicaid work requirements. The rules require people to prove they are working, volunteering, attending school or participating in a qualifying job-training program for 80 hours per month to keep their coverage. States will have some discretion to decide which medical conditions qualify for exemption.
The rules implicitly link the definition of medical frailty to a person’s ability to work. “If your condition impairs your ability to engage in work and the requirements, then you are likely not subject to the work requirements,” said Dan Brillman, the Trump administration’s Medicaid director.
States had anticipated the rule would specify medical frailty broadly as someone whose condition would worsen if they did not have access to care.
The rules were stricter than expected. “We do not believe it is reasonable to categorically consider conditions as serious or complex without factoring in criteria such as the severity of the condition,” CMS wrote in the rule. “The mantra we kept coming back to was that we’re forgiving, but we’re not foolish,” CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz told reporters on a call Monday.
“If we make it so easy to defraud [Medicaid] — that everyone feels that they’re fooled for not defrauding it — that’s not so good,” he said. The World Health Organization on Tuesday reduced the number of suspected Ebola cases in Congo after initially estimating nearly 1,000 suspected cases.
The latest figures were shared at a hybrid press briefing attended by representatives from the WHO, the United Nations Population Fund, International Organization on Migration, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the Office of the High Commissioner.
Dr. Mehmet Oz sidestepped questions on Tuesday about President Trump’s appointment of Bill Pulte, the homebuilder and director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, to serve as acting head of the nation’s intelligence services, saying he trusted the president’s judgement.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz on Tuesday said President Trump’s most recent doctor visit was a routine, regular exam.
The Canadian government said Tuesday that travelers from Ebola-affected regions will be required to self-isolate for 21 days, and that immigration authorities are temporarily suspending decisions on applications from Congo, South Sudan and Uganda.
Transparency
Reported by a single outlet. This score reflects source tier and factual specificity — corroboration is limited with one source.
Story details
Related Stories
indianexpress.comNetanyahu Opposes West Bank Antiquities Bill After IDF Warns It Violates International Law
Discussions on legislation expanding Israeli government authority over antiquities and land in the West Bank have halted after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voiced opposition, a coalition source told Haaretz.
Japan TimesBear Attacks Four in Fukushima City as Sightings Hit Record High Amid Rural Depopulation
A bear attacked workers at a car parts factory and an electronics plant and injured a resident in Fukushima City on Tuesday. One person suffered serious injuries and three had minor wounds; the animal has not been found.
Ebola Response Expands in Eastern DRC Despite Equipment and Tracing Challenges
Dr. Abdou Sebushishe of the International Medical Corps told CNN that efforts to contain the outbreak are growing while protective gear, contact tracing, and public trust remain limited.