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States Prepare to Implement New Medicaid Work Requirements
At least six states now require proof of medical frailty immediately, and federal estimates project 7.5 million fewer people will have coverage.
On October 1, approximately 5,000 Michigan immigrants will lose routine Medicaid coverage, transitioning to emergency-only services under the federal 'One Big, Beautiful Bill' passed last year.
Last year's federal 'One Big, Beautiful Bill' mandates Medicaid beneficiaries work or volunteer at least 80 hours monthly to maintain coverage, affecting up to 20 million lower-income adults across 40 states and the District of Columbia.
Michigan hired more than 400 workers using $54.3 million budgeted earlier this year to help 650,000 residents navigate new requirements, though federal guidance continued arriving through September.
Christine Sauvé, spokesperson for the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, warned the policy will have a 'chilling effect on noncitizens, even for those who will remain eligible,' while the state allocated $12.25 million for community navigators announced September 15.
Democrats in 25 states are suing, asserting the rules are too harsh, while the Congressional Budget Office projects the changes will reduce federal spending by $887 billion over ten years and result in 7.5 million fewer people with health insurance.