Thread by @ChomiloMD

This @NEJM article on the Arkansas #Medicaid work requirements is....jarring

Cliff Notes version is Work Requirements:
- Significantly ⬇️ health insurance coverage
- Did NOT ⬆️ employment



A quick THREAD for more
#WorkRequirementsDontWork #mnleg (1/)

Among a survey of predominately rural Arkansas residents they found that >92% of the respondents — & nearly 97% btw 30 - 49 years of age — were ALREADY MEETING the community engagement requirement

#WorkRequirementsDontWork (2/)

Only 49.3% of those told they needed to report work were doing so.

Most common reason for not reporting?

A belief that they were not meeting the requirement (40.4%).

But looking at their other responses indicated that all of the respondents DID satisfy the requirements. (3/)

So nearly 1/4 of all people who lost coverage were likely to have kept it if they understood the policy.

But confusion is part of this policy’s intent & design.

In fact, one of the most prevalent other reasons for not reporting was confusion about reporting (17.8%). (4/)

And 32.9% of adults 30-49 years old who had #Medicaid or marketplace coverage HAD NOT HEARD ANYTHING about the policy!

Who was less likely to know about the requirements?
- Adults 19 to 29 years of age
- Men
- Those without a high-school diploma

#WorkRequirementsDontWork (5/)

In total, nearly HALF the target population was unsure whether requirements applied to them.

This is either an intentional, malicious act or negligence on behalf of those who pushed for & implemented this.

It highlights how #Medicaid work requirements are BAD policy. (6/)

Hopefully #Medicaid advocates across the country are using this study to push back against the other work requirements proposals that exist (7/7)

#WorkRequirementsDontWork