STAT+: Trump administration releases rules for new Medicaid work requirements

STAT PlusBreaking News Trump administration releases rules for new Medicaid work requirements States and advocates are closely monitoring the policies Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By John Wilkerson and Tara BannowJune 1, 2026 John Wilkerson[email protected]John writes about the politics of health care, and he is the author of the twice-weekly D.C. Diagnosis newsletter. You can reach John on Signal at John_Wilkerson.07.Tara Bannow[email protected]Tara covers the business of health care. Her stories focus on hospitals, doctors, and how their business practices affect patients — especially when private equity gets involved. She also writes about health insurance and ideas for improving our broken health system. You can reach Tara on Signal at tarabannow.70. WASHINGTON — The Trump administration on Monday published a highly anticipated document that lays out the rules for sweeping new requirements that many adult Medicaid beneficiaries work or attend school in order to qualify for coverage. The rule, from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, establishes standards states must use to implement Medicaid work requirements, including who is exempt from the requirements, how to verify exemptions, and state reporting requirements. The work requirements, created as part of President Trump’s 2025 tax cut bill, are popular among Republican politicians, but generally opposed by Democrats and advocates for people who are seriously ill or have lower incomes.Advertisement According to initial estimates, the work requirement policy was expected to reduce federal Medicaid spending by $326 billion and cost 5.3 million people their Medicaid coverage. On Monday, a division of the federal Department of Health and Human Services published a research brief contending that the rules may push more people to work, reducing poverty by 1.6 million to 2.9 million people. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news alerts. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In CMS, Congress, Medicaid, Policy, public health, STAT+, states Submit a correction requestReprints John Wilkerson Washington Correspondent John writes about the politics of health care, and he is the author of the twice-weekly D.C. Diagnosis newsletter. You can reach John on Signal at John_Wilkerson.07. Tara Bannow Hospitals and Insurance Reporter Tara covers the business of health care. Her stories focus on hospitals, doctors, and how their business practices affect patients — especially when private equity gets involved. She also writes about health insurance and ideas for improving our broken health system. You can reach Tara on Signal at tarabannow.70. Newsletter The latest updates in federal health agencies, research institutes, and U.S. policy Recommended Exclusive May 29, 2026 STAT Plus: Massachusetts sues UnitedHealth, alleging fraud in state’s Medicaid plans for seniors Politics May 21, 2026 STAT Plus: Acting head of NIH’s infectious disease institute reported to have stepped down Advertisement Health May 20, 2026 STAT Plus: Kennedy fires two leaders on preventive services task force Health May 20, 2026 STAT Plus: Kennedy names interim surgeon general amid vacancies atop health department Exclusive May 19, 2026 Trump’s cuts to foreign aid are undermining the Ebola response, insiders say Subscriber Picks