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To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to establish a community engagement requirement for certain individuals under the Medicaid program.
3/14/2025, 9:18 AM
Summary of Bill HR 1279
Under this proposed legislation, individuals who are receiving Medicaid benefits would be required to participate in some form of community engagement in order to continue receiving their benefits. This could include activities such as volunteering, job training, or education programs. The goal of this requirement is to encourage individuals to become more involved in their communities and to potentially gain valuable skills and experience that could help them become more self-sufficient in the long run.
It is important to note that this bill does not apply to all Medicaid recipients. It specifically targets certain individuals who are deemed able-bodied and capable of participating in community engagement activities. Additionally, there are provisions in place to exempt individuals who are unable to comply with the requirement due to factors such as disability, caregiving responsibilities, or other extenuating circumstances. Overall, the Community Engagement Requirement Act seeks to promote self-sufficiency and community involvement among Medicaid recipients, while also ensuring that those who are unable to meet the requirement are not unfairly penalized. This bill is currently under consideration in Congress and may undergo further revisions before potentially becoming law.
Congressional Summary of HR 1279
This bill establishes community engagement requirements (i.e., work requirements) for certain adults under Medicaid.
Specifically, the bill requires individuals ages 18 through 65 to work, engage in community service, or participate in a work program (or a combination of these) for at least 80 hours per month. The bill prohibits federal payments for, and allows state Medicaid programs to disenroll, individuals who do not meet these requirements for three or more months in a year.
The requirements do not apply to individuals who are (1) physically or mentally unfit to work, (2) pregnant, (3) parents or caretakers of children or incapacitated individuals, (4) complying with work requirements for other federal programs, (5) participating in a drug or alcohol treatment and rehabilitation program, or (6) enrolled at least half-time in school.




