Why Medicaid Work Requirements Are A Bad Idea

As Congressional Republicans try to pass President Donald Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' through the House and Senate, Medicaid is one of the big programs in the party's legislative crosshairs. GOP lawmakers are eyeing upwards of $800 billion in cuts to the safety net health care program over the next decade, in part by imposing new work and eligibility requirements for recipients. But while the president keeps insisting 'no cuts to Medicaid,' the government's calculations suggest the party's plan could cost 10 million Americans their health care coverage. Matt Bruenig, founder of the People's Policy Project, explains why work requirements don't work.

And in headlines: Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem got her constitutional rights all mixed up during a Senate hearing, Trump's FDA looks to limit access to Covid booster shots, and New Jersey U.S. Congresswoman LaMonica McIver is charged with assault.

***CORRECTION: In this episode, we said House Republicans were eying upwards of $800 billion in cuts to Medicaid in their spending and tax bill. The actual total of proposed cuts to the safety net health care program is estimated at more than $600 billion. We regret the error.

Show Notes:

• Check out Matt's column – www.nytimes.com/2025/05/16/opinion/medicaid-work-requirements-pointless.html • Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8 • What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast • Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ • For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday