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Missouri's Medicaid Work Rules Threaten 130,000 Residents' Coverage

7/26/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Missouri's new Medicaid work requirements, starting December 2026, demand proof of 80 hours of work or activities each month. This policy threatens to strip coverage from 130,000 residents, especially in rural areas lacking internet access. Critics fear these changes will deteriorate health outcomes and overwhelm state resources, amplifying existing challenges.

History

Historical Context

The 1996 Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act reformed welfare by enforcing work requirements, affecting millions. Currently, Missouri's new Medicaid rules threaten coverage for 130,000 residents, echoing past failures in rural areas with limited resources. These changes risk exacerbating health disparities and could strain state resources, reminiscent of challenges during the welfare reform era.

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Story summary

Missouri's new Medicaid work requirements, starting December 2026, demand proof of 80 hours of work or activities each month. This policy threatens to strip coverage from 130,000 residents, especially in rural areas lacking internet access. Critics fear these changes will deteriorate health outcomes and overwhelm state resources, amplifying existing challenges.

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