If You Want to Keep Your Medicaid, You Have to Have a Job

The President has done it again. He's offended people who would rather sit on their behinds and have babies and live on welfare, taking from, not contributing to, our society. It's evident in the reactions about the Medicaid work requirement.



Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT, 3rd)

“President Trump’s latest action continues his campaign to shame and stigmatize our most vulnerable citizens. Work requirements do nothing to create jobs or raise wages for hard-working Americans. Instead, they put at risk the essential health care benefits millions of children, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities have access to every day. In fact, patients receiving life-saving therapies could have their access to those services removed if they do not work enough hours to remain eligible for Medicaid.”

“Requiring Medicaid recipients to work will do nothing to tackle poverty—it will only serve to cut off a lifeline for millions of Americans who depend on this program each year. We must do everything we can to ensure that we are lifting people out of poverty, not pushing them deeper into it. I fear that President Trump’s actions today will do just that. Our social safety net programs are a reflection of our nation’s values, and we cannot allow them to be unraveled. President Trump must immediately end his cruel assault on our nation’s most vulnerable citizens.”

Seriously? You mean, if they go to work, they won't get out of poverty? So, it doesn't help? I'm confused. I thought the reason they were impoverished was because they wouldn't work. I'm sorry, but I have to disagree. 

Matt Gaetz (R-FL, 1st)

“I am glad that the Trump administration is encouraging states to implement work requirements for able-bodied, childless adults who receive Medicaid. This common-sense policy, supported by a majority of Americans, will lift people out of poverty and dependence into the dignity and fulfillment of work. With millions of jobs unfilled in our country, and a booming economy that is creating new jobs daily, America needs workers.

In states that require able-bodied, childless adults to work, volunteer, or take classes in order to qualify for Medicaid, employment has grown and spending has plummeted. With America more than twenty trillion dollars in debt, it is irresponsible to borrow from China to pay for people who simply don’t want to work. Throughout my time in Congress, I have fought for work requirements for welfare, and was successful in my efforts to have this policy included in the House FY18 Budget.

Former President Obama prevented states from imposing work requirements; this misguided policy stole power from state governments, slowed an already-struggling economy, and discouraged Americans from finding gainful employment. I am glad to see that we are taking a new approach under President Trump, and following through on the promise of bold, conservative reform that Americans supported when they elected a Republican House, Senate, and President.”

I am glad to see someone agrees. People won't work if they don't have to. If I could get by with not working to pay my bills, you'd better bet I'd jump on that gravy train!

Gene Green (D-TX, 29th)

“Work requirements for Medicaid recipients are a cruel and counterproductive policy. The Trump Administration needs to work with Congress to keep Americans healthy and able to work, instead of making it harder for Americans to obtain and keep their health insurance. Terminating Medicaid coverage for someone who does not meet a work requirement will simply make it harder, not easier, to get or keep a job.”

“The lives of more than a million Texans who are enrolled in Medicaid would be impacted by a work requirement. I would also argue that the guidance is a misuse of the 1115 waiver allowed under federal law. 1115 waivers are intended to promote the objectives of the program. A work requirement would clearly be contradictory to that claim.”

What is cruel is taking my hard-earned money in order to pay for services for people who are perfectly capable of working as hard as I do for what I get.

Colleen Hanabusa, (D-HI, 1st)

“President Donald Trump and his Republican Party continue to fulfill their campaign promise of limiting access to affordable, quality healthcare for Americans struggling to pay for coverage. More than 344,000 people in Hawaii, including about 107,000 low-income children, benefit from Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Most of the 70 million Americans enrolled in Medicaid work hard to support their families. Telling states that the federal government will approve waivers that impose work requirements on Medicaid recipients only serves to target the neediest and most vulnerable among us, including a disproportionate number of women, minorities, and individuals dealing with chronic and debilitating illnesses. Healthcare is a right, not a political position, and I sincerely hope President Trump and his party recognize the need to help every American, not just those who can afford to pay.”

Andy Harris (R-MD, 1st)

“I applaud the Trump Administration’s decision to accept state proposals for Medicaid work and community engagement requirements for able-bodied, working age recipients. Entitlement programs like Medicaid were designed to provide temporary assistance, but have become laden with waste, fraud, and abuse. Work and community engagement requirements will encourage Medicaid recipients to continue pursuing new opportunities for success - so they can get the hand-up that they need.”