Judge Allows Trump Admin to Enforce Medicaid Work Requirements

A federal judge has declined to block new work requirements for Medicaid recipients, allowing the Trump administration to enforce rules that require chronic patients and low-income beneficiaries to prove they are physically unable to work. The decision leaves the scheme in effect from January 1, 2027, with millions of affiliates having to demonstrate at least 80 hours of monthly work, volunteering, or studies to keep their coverage. The lawsuit was filed by 25 states and the District of Columbia, with Democratic officials arguing that they would have to spend millions on hiring staff and new technological systems to verify which patients could be considered medically fragile. However, Federal Judge Richard J. Stearns rejected the request to urgently suspend the rule, although he allowed the lawsuit to continue. The magistrate ruled that the plaintiffs had not demonstrated sufficient grave and irreparable harm to justify an injunction before the rules take effect.