A unique feature of the proposed Medicaid work requirements in the reconciliation bill is that states could choose to require individuals to work for *multiple* months prior to applying for Medicaid - meaning people with employment gaps would not qualify for Medicaid, even if currently working

Even as the federal Medicaid debate evolves, some states are already pursuing Medicaid demonstration waivers to introduce work requirements.

Yesterday, Arkansas and Arizona submitted Medicaid work requirement requests to CMS. KFF is tracking the latest state activity: www.kff.org/report-secti...

When asked to respond to proposals to reduce federal Medicaid spending, participants appealed to policymakers to consider how these changes would negatively impact people. The message of several Trump voters to policymakers was to focus on improving Medicaid instead of cutting it. (8/9)

Both Trump and Harris voters said that losing Medicaid coverage would be “devastating” and would lead to serious consequences for their physical and mental health. (7/9)

Some participants who weren't currently working felt concerned about work requirements, while others who supported the policy thought they would qualify for an exemption. Many participants said they wanted to work but couldn't due to disability/caregiving responsibilities/the job market (6/9)

If work requirements were introduced to Medicaid, participants who were working generally felt confident in their ability to meet the requirements, but some worried about the burden of monthly reporting requirements when those were described to them. (5/9)

Both Trump and Harris voters opposed cuts to the program fearing that Medicaid spending reductions would jeopardize the program and take away access to health care for poor people. Participants opposed cutting Medicaid funding to pay for tax cuts that they did not believe would benefit them. (4/9)

Most participants also hadn't heard about recent proposals to reduce federal spending on Medicaid. Trump and Harris voters had different opinions on why the cuts were being proposed - some Trump voters theorized it may be part of the admin's crackdown on illegal immigration. (3/9)

Most voters said the economy was their top voting issue in 2024, although some said immigration and preserving democracy. Most had not heard about changes to health care/Medicaid during the campaign. (2/9)

Overall, participants said Medicaid enables them to access health care services, mental health services, and medications for themselves and their children. They expressed anxiety at the thought of no longer having Medicaid. 4/

Some participants who were disenrolled didn't know why they had lost their coverage and remain without insurance. Other participants were no longer eligible for Medicaid and were able to smoothly transition onto ESI or Marketplace coverage. 3/

A good number of focus group participants reported they were able to easily renew their Medicaid coverage without any issue, especially when done online. However, some who successfully renewed their coverage still faced communication barriers and issues getting through to call centers. 2/