Sanders Proposes Reinstating Medicaid Work Requirements

Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders is advocating for the reinstatement of work requirements for the state's Medicaid expansion program, ARHOME, which covers over 220,000 low-income adults. The proposal, titled 'Pathway to Prosperity,' requires able-bodied, working-age adults to work, volunteer, study, or care for children to receive benefits, aiming to promote economic independence and reduce government dependency. Sanders has sought a waiver from the Trump administration to implement these changes, following a similar 2018 attempt under Governor Asa Hutchinson that was blocked by a federal judge. The new plan addresses previous issues that led to over 18,000 people losing coverage by improving data matching and support services to foster compliance. Critics argue that the requirements could still pose challenges, but Sanders maintains they are necessary to address workforce shortages and rising Medicaid costs in Arkansas.