Authors Argue Medicaid Work Requirements Harm Behavioral Health Patients
In an opinion piece published by Medicaid Health Plans of America, authors Craig A. Kennedy and Debbie Witchey argue that nationwide mandatory work requirements being considered in Congress's budget reconciliation package will cause significant coverage loss among Medicaid beneficiaries with mental health conditions and substance use disorders. They cite Kaiser Family Foundation data showing nearly two-thirds of non-elderly Medicaid adults already work full or part time, contesting the premise that work requirements primarily target fraud, waste, and abuse. The authors contend that despite House leadership's assurances that no "deserving" beneficiary will lose eligible coverage, the current policy design will strip coverage from vulnerable populations the legislation claims to protect.