Josh Archambault’s op-ed does nothing to advance an important debate around our national health safety net. The situation is far more complicated than the talking points he offers. Work requirements for Medicaid don’t encourage employment. Most people with Medicaid who can work already do. Those who aren’t working face barriers such as chronic illness, caregiving responsibilities, lack of transportation, or mental health issues — among the very issues Medicaid is meant to help address.
An estimated 46 percent of MassHealth members subject to work requirements would lose coverage despite all but 14 percent being employed or meeting exemptions.
We have seen this before. When Arkansas and Georgia implemented work requirements, most of the people who lost coverage actually met the requirements but got caught up in red tape. We hear from callers every day on our consumer HelpLine about how paperwork requirements are a barrier to getting and maintaining coverage. Work requirements would create yet another coverage barrier for nearly 300,000 people in Massachusetts.
We stand with the Massachusetts congressional delegation in pushing back against the unprecedented health care cuts in the House bill.
Amy Rosenthal
Executive director
Health Care for All
Boston