Honolulu Civil Beat

Federal Medicaid Work Requirements Exempt Indigenous Groups But Not Native Hawaiians

President Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act imposes Medicaid work requirements that exempt certain indigenous groups but not Native Hawaiians. Native Hawaiians will be required to comply with work requirements despite facing documented barriers to employment and healthcare access. The law takes effect as part of broader Medicaid eligibility changes under the legislation. This creates a disparity in how different indigenous populations are treated under federal Medicaid policy, potentially affecting coverage for Native Hawaiians who cannot meet work requirements.