Federal Medicaid Work Rules Omit Homeless Individuals from Exemptions

Why it matters locally: The exclusion of homelessness as an exemption from federal Medicaid work requirements could impact Medicaid recipients in Oklahoma who are experiencing homelessness, potentially affecting their access to healthcare services.

Federal policy outlining Medicaid work requirements does not include homelessness among its listed exemptions. Previously, proponents of Medicaid work requirements stated that vulnerable individuals would receive exemptions. However, the federal government's final list of exemptions does not account for homelessness. Izzy Kadrmas, a medical assistant at Partnership Health Center's Watershed Clinic in Missoula, Montana, has worked with individuals seeking healthcare. Tywon Pugh, for example, received blood testing from Kadrmas.