Governor Beshear Warns 200,000 Kentuckians Could Lose Healthcare Due to New Work Requirements

FRANKFORT, KY – Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has voiced strong opposition to new Medicaid work requirements, asserting that such policies are primarily designed to increase administrative burdens rather than promote employment. In a recent social media post, Governor Beshear stated, “>THESE WORK REQUIREMENTS REALLY AREN’T ABOUT GETTING PEOPLE BACK TO WORK. THEY ARE ABOUT INCREASING THE PAPERWORK ON EVERYBODY… WHEN SOMEBODY MISSES THAT ONE BOX, THEY ARE KICKED OFF FOR SIX MONTHS OR MORE.” This criticism comes as new legislation, including a federal bill and a recently passed state measure, threatens to impact hundreds of thousands of Kentuckians.

The Kentucky General Assembly recently passed House Bill 695, which mandates "community engagement" work requirements for able-bodied adults on Medicaid aged 18-60 without dependents, if they have been enrolled for over a year. Governor Beshear vetoed this bill, arguing it would "put up barriers to and delay health care for Kentuckians," though the Republican-supermajority legislature holds the power to override his veto. Critics of the bill, including health advocates, contend that similar programs in other states have not boosted workforce participation and instead led to coverage loss due to bureaucratic hurdles.

This state-level action aligns with a broader federal push for Medicaid changes. Governor Beshear has also strongly criticized a new federal tax policy bill signed by President Donald Trump, which includes significant Medicaid cuts and new work requirements. He labeled the federal legislation as an "attack on rural America," estimating that approximately 200,000 Kentuckians could lose their healthcare coverage as a direct result of these combined policies.

The governor's stance is consistent with his previous actions, including rescinding a Medicaid waiver imposed by former Governor Matt Bevin in his first week in office, which would have removed coverage for an estimated 100,000 Kentuckians. Beshear has long maintained that healthcare is a fundamental human right and that such requirements disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. Opponents of work requirements argue that most Medicaid recipients are already working, caring for family, or have health barriers, and that the administrative complexity often leads to disenrollment.

Republicans, both in Kentucky and at the federal level, argue that work requirements are a sensible approach to encourage employment and control Medicaid spending. Senate President Robert Stivers, a proponent of HB 695, stated that the aim is to ensure "those who can put forth the effort do," and to manage the growing Medicaid budget. However, health experts warn that substantial cuts and increased administrative burdens could lead to rural hospital closures and significant economic strain in areas heavily reliant on Medicaid.