Medicaid community engagement requirement

Federal Health Policy Update for January 29

The following is the latest health policy news from the federal government for January 23-29. Some of the language used below is taken directly from government documents. Congress The Senate today failed to advance a package of the remaining six FY 2026 appropriations bills, including funding for the Department of Health and Human Services. Democratic senators continue negotiating with the White House on how to proceed with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding, including the possibility of separating the DHS bill from the broader appropriations package and making targeted amendments to that measure. The Labor, HHS, Education, and Related Agencies bill, [...]

Medicaid Work Rule May Hit Chronically Ill

The introduction of a work requirement for Medicaid eligibility may have the greatest impact on Medicaid beneficiaries with chronic illnesses. According to a new analysis of the approximately five million people who are likely to lose their Medicaid eligibility between now and 2034 because of the new work requirement introduced in the FY 2026 budget reconciliation bill (the “One Big Beautiful Act Bill,”) more than 85 percent have at least one chronic medical condition and more than 40 percent have at least three such conditions. The percentages rise, moreover, among current Medicaid beneficiaries over the age of 50. Some of [...]