Study: Ark. Medicaid work requirement fails to increase employment

Jun 21, 2019 - 02:59 PM
Medicaid enrollment

Thousands of adults in Arkansas lost insurance coverage in the first six months after Medicaid work requirements were implemented, with no change in employment, according to a study published this week in the New England Journal of Medicine. The researchers found that the policy was associated with significant reductions in coverage for the 30-49 year olds targeted by the policy. “We didn’t find any employment changes and instead we see Medicaid coverage rates dropping and more people without health insurance – usually because the process itself was confusing or beneficiaries didn’t even know about the new requirements,” said lead author Benjamin Sommers, a professor of health policy and economics at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. A federal judge halted Medicaid work requirements in Arkansas and Kentucky in March.

Related News Articles

Headline
HHS authorizes five states to provide health care coverage for people transitioning out of incarceration 
The Department of Health and Human Services July 2 announced it will provide Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program coverage to incarcerated people…
Headline
MACPAC recommends increased transparency on Medicaid and CHIP financing 
The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) June 11 released its June report to Congress. The first chapter focuses on improving the…
Headline
GAO report finds lack of oversight on Medicaid managed care plans’ prior authorization requirements for children
A report released May 29 by the Government Accountability Office found a lack of state oversight on Medicaid managed care plans’ use of prior authorization for…
Headline
CMS seeks comments on information associated with attestation requirements included in Medicaid managed care access rule
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is seeking public comments until July 22 on the information requirements associated with attestation…
Headline
Delaware, Tennessee become first states to provide diapers through Medicaid
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently announced the approval of Delaware and Tennessee as the first states to provide diapers to children…
Headline
CMS extends unwinding flexibilities for states through June 2025
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services May 9 announced an extension of unwinding flexibilities to support state efforts to protect the continuity of…