Health advocates are raising concerns about new federal guidance on Medicaid work requirements and what it could mean for Michigan residents.

Michigan previously approved a plan requiring many Healthy Michigan Plan recipients to document at least 80 hours a month of work, education, job training or volunteer activities to keep their coverage. The Whitmer administration eliminated that requirement last year.

Maddy Twomey, communications director for Protect Our Care, said eligible Medicaid recipients are now facing a similar policy from the federal government.

“In the past, we've seen very eligible people who have lost coverage as a result of this type of program,” Twomey said.

She said those losses often happen when people miss reporting deadlines, have difficulty documenting work hours or struggle to navigate paperwork requirements.

Supporters of work requirements say the rules encourage workforce participation and accountability while helping preserve benefits for those who qualify.

Federal Medicaid work requirements must be in place by Jan. 1, 2027.

National data show more than 8 million seniors and people with disabilities rely on Medicaid for long-term care and other services. Twomey said some groups could face greater challenges than others under the new requirements.

“People I really fear for are people who genuinely just have very complex medical conditions," Twomey said, "where they are facing a lot of medical appointments and they need medications to maintain their condition.”

She said experts fear some people could become too sick to work if they lose coverage.

Health care experts say the impact will ultimately depend on how states implement the requirements and how effectively recipients are able to navigate the new rules.

Source: Public News Service