Imposing Medicaid Work Requirements Would Be Bad for Children’s Health Too

The following article by Leila Schochet was posted on the Center for American Progress website January 19, 2018:

A resident nurse checks the heart rate of a child, September 2009. Credit: Getty/John Moore

Last week, the Trump administration introduced new guidance that would allow states to take away people’s health care if they are unable to find work—all without creating a single job. Imposing work requirements could put at least 6.3 million Americans at risk of losing their health care and would impede—not promote—participation in the workforce.

This new guidance has significant implications for children, not because they would be required to work for their health care, but because a child’s health insurance coverage—and well-being—are closely tied with their parents’ coverage. Imposing work requirements for parents could introduce instability to children’s coverage when they need continuous care and healthy caregivers the most. Furthermore, increasing financial stress in the homes of American families who are struggling to make ends meet would undermine healthy child development. Continue reading “Imposing Medicaid Work Requirements Would Be Bad for Children’s Health Too”