Pennsylvania Health System Launches Volunteer Program to Help Medicaid Patients Meet Work Requirements
Guthrie health system in Pennsylvania is expanding its volunteer program to help Medicaid patients meet new 80-hour monthly community engagement requirements taking effect in January 2027. The requirements, enacted in July 2025 federal legislation, apply to certain adults without young children and could result in 310,000 Pennsylvania residents losing Medicaid coverage. Pennsylvania expects a $20 billion federal funding reduction over 10 years starting in 2028. Guthrie, which derives 16% of revenue from Medicaid, projects $38 million in net revenue loss and is offering volunteer roles including greeting visitors, working in gift shops, and delivering flowers to help patients maintain eligibility and preserve the system's reimbursement stream.