President Biden has rightfully pledged to not take away people’s health care or increase poverty as part of the debt ceiling negotiations. The administration must hold this line and reject any new work requirements for Medicaid, or increased work requirements for SNAP and TANF.
The return to “normal operations” for state Medicaid agencies means that several million people are likely to lose their Medicaid health insurance over the coming year.
“Medicaid has served a really important purpose over the course of the pandemic,” said Suzanne Wikle, senior policy analyst at the Center for Law and Social Policy.
Federal and state lawmakers are seeking policy solutions to address the child care crisis that has been exacerbated by the pandemic. Consistent health coverage plays an important role in helping to stabilize the child care workforce.
On November 16, Suzanne Wikle spoke on a panel at the American Cancer Society Community Action Network titled “What’s Next for Medicaid? Building Power, Expanding Coverage and Protecting Access.”
A new paper details the racist roots of administrative burdens in Medicaid, describes how these burdens continue to harm eligible people – particularly people of color—and provides specific recommendations for states to reduce administrative burden as a key strategy for advancing racial equity in Medicaid.
Although the Public Health Emergency may end in the coming months, people’s need for affordable health care and nutrition assistance certainly won’t end.