NHeLP Media Record & Experts
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill” Act, a sweeping proposal that slashes billions of dollars from the Medicaid program and imposes dangerous new work requirements. If enacted, the bill would strip health care from millions of low-income people across the country, including individuals with disabilities and older adults, to pay for massive tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations. This bill also includes a new kind of work requirement proposal more punishing than any we’ve seen before. History and evidence show that the proposals in this bill would terminate life-saving health coverage for literally millions.
The National Health Law Program’s team of Policy Analysts and Attorneys are available for interviews and background on:
- The real impacts of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” and Medicaid work requirements
- Why these policies are costly and don’t work
- Who is harmed by these eligibility hurdles
NHeLP has deep expertise in Medicaid policy and a proven track record of litigation and advocacy on this issue. As Congress moves swiftly to tie these harmful policies to corporate giveaways, NHeLP’s team can help unpack what’s at stake for everyday people. See our most recent published resources with specific feedback on a number of provisions contained in the draft legislation.
Notable takeaways:
- The bill essentially shuts the front door to care, forcing enrollees to prove compliance before they can access coverage. If an individual doesn’t meet the complicated, cumbersome requirements or get an exemption, they not only lose their Medicaid, but also lose any other reasonable path to health insurance. This intentional termination of health coverage is unacceptable.
- Faced with high copays, people stop seeking necessary care. They ration pills that may help prevent a heart attack or stroke, or avoid seeking important preventative services.
- Imposing cost-sharing on Medicaid enrollees means that people who already have low incomes would need to find a way to cover higher copays. This barrier to access ultimately results in adverse health events.
- This bill could ban or seriously restrict life-saving gender-affirming health services for both youth and adults who need them. Gender-affirming care is safe, effective, and life-saving.
- Work requirements do not increase employment, but they do lead to large coverage losses and administrative waste.
NHeLP resources:
- Who is Harmed by Medicaid Work Requirements?
- Top 10 Reasons Why Work Requirements Should Not Be Added to Medicaid
- How Medicaid Work Requirements Hurt People with Disabilities
- Protect Medicaid Funding, Issue 13: Medicaid Work Requirements Hurt the U.S. Workforce
- Webinar: Medicaid Work Requirements Don’t Work
- Medicaid Work Requirements Would Gut State and Local Economies
- Medicaid Work Requirements Undermine Rural Healthcare
- State-Level Legislation Increases Potential Harm from Federal “Optional” Work Requirement Proposals
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