Protects Health Care for Hundreds of Thousands of Arkansas and Kentucky Residents 

(BOSTON, MA) — Statement of Michael Miller, strategic policy director at Community Catalyst, regarding the federal court rulings regarding Medicaid work reporting requirements in Kentucky and Arkansas.

“Today’s ruling by District Court Judge James Boasberg striking down Medicaid work reporting requirements in Arkansas and Kentucky is a welcome relief for hundreds of thousands of Medicaid beneficiaries who were at risk of losing their health coverage. The judge, who previously struck down work reporting requirements in Kentucky, said that the Trump administration ‘failed to justify that adding employment conditions and other changes to Medicaid…advanced Medicaid’s basic purpose of providing health coverage.’

“Work reporting requirements have already stripped away health coverage from roughly 18,000 low-income Arkansans. This decision means that the health coverage for Arkansas and Kentucky residents will be protected. The decision also sets an important precedent that could protect the health coverage of millions of Medicaid enrollees in the 15 states with approved or pending work reporting requirement proposals. The fundamental purpose of Medicaid is to provide health coverage to low-income individuals, children, pregnant women, people with disabilities, and others for whom other forms of health insurance may be out of reach.

“The Trump administration again failed to make the case as to how and why adding work requirements to state Medicaid programs would increase employment or improve health outcomes for Medicaid beneficiaries.

“Medicaid is a lifeline for millions of people. As today’s decision shows, efforts by the Trump administration and state legislators to create barriers to coverage in Medicaid will not go unanswered. We urge the administration and state policy makers to take heed of the judge’s unequivocal decision and cease their misguided attacks.”

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About Community Catalyst:

Community Catalyst is a national, non-profit consumer advocacy organization founded in 1998 with the belief that affordable quality health care should be accessible to everyone. We work in partnership with national, state and local organizations, policymakers and philanthropic foundations to ensure consumer interests are represented wherever important decisions about health and the health system are made: in communities, statehouses and on Capitol Hill. For more information, visit www.communitycatalyst.org. Follow us on Twitter @HealthPolicyHub.