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John Tozzi @jtozz
, 11 tweets, 4 min read Read on Twitter
More than 4,000 people have been cut from Medicaid in Arkansas for not complying with the state's new work requirement, the first time that's been allowed since Congress created Medicaid in 1965 bloomberg.com/news/articles/…
The work requirement is the first to go into effect since the Trump administration opened the door for it in January

bloomberg.com/news/articles/…
People have to report 80 hours a month of work or other activity (like volunteering). They have to use a website that...closes at 9 p.m. That's right. The website is closed for 10 hours for maintenance every night (70 hours a week).
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson said that the number losing coverage "is higher than we would prefer. We would like to see everyone in full compliance.”

bloomberg.com/news/articles/…
Some of those not complying may have left the state or gotten coverage, Hutchinson said. He also said Arkansas will save $30 million by not paying for coverage for those who didn't meet the work requirement.

bloomberg.com/news/articles/…
While conservatives say Medicaid work requirements will help people get employer coverage and lead to self-sufficiency. Critics say that rationale is a smokescreen for shrinking a safety net program Republicans have long opposed.

bloomberg.com/news/articles/…
“What’s happening in Arkansas is confirming my worst fear, which is that this is really just designed to kick people off of coverage,” @JoanAlker1 told me. (Did I mention the part where the reporting website closes each night?)

bloomberg.com/news/articles/…
A judge blocked Kentucky's plan for work requirements, at least temporarily, and a similar challenge is pending against the Arkansas policy.

bloomberg.com/news/articles/…
Indiana and New Hampshire also have programs approved, and at least nine other states are considering similar policies.

bloomberg.com/news/articles/…
It's not just Medicaid. Work requirements already exist in food stamps and cash welfare, thanks to Clinton-era reforms. Trump wants to expand them.

bloomberg.com/news/articles/…
Trump issued an executive order in April announcing intentions to reform welfare systems by “introducing new work requirements when legally permissible,” to encourage self-sufficiency. Stay tuned.

bloomberg.com/news/articles/…
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