Governors Request Delay on Medicaid Work Requirement Implementation

Governors of several states, including Nebraska, Oregon, and New Mexico, have asked the Department of Health and Human Services to delay the January 1, 2027, deadline for implementing new Medicaid work requirements. The requirements mandate that individuals aged 19 to 64 must work, volunteer, or participate in job training for a minimum of 80 hours per month or earn $580 per month. The leaders argue that the timeline is insufficient for states to implement the changes, which require new system logic, revised processes, and additional staff training.

The governors contend that basing eligibility on employment status, rather than income, introduces administrative barriers that could cause harm to recipients. The coalition of governors who signed the letter also expressed opposition to the requirements as a matter of policy.