Federal judge strikes down Medicaid work requirements in Arkansas, Kentucky

A federal judge yesterday blocked the Trump administration’s efforts in Arkansas and Kentucky to require people on Medicaid to meet certain work requirements. Judge James Boasberg said the rules pose many obstacles for low-income people to obtain health care. This is the second time Boasberg has struck down the requirements in Kentucky, where they have not yet gone into effect because of legal challenges, but could affect upward of 400,000 people. Arkansas’ rule went into effect last June and has resulted in more than 18,000 people losing Medicaid coverage. Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin said that the state would appeal, and Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson said he was disappointed in the ruling and would address it today. 

CMS Administrator Seema Verma said in a statement the administration isn’t backing down on work requirements. "We will continue to defend our efforts to give states greater flexibility to help low-income Americans rise out of poverty," she said.