Trump administration told to reconsider Kentucky’s work requirements for Medicaid

A federal judge has blocked Kentucky’s work requirements for Medicaid and has ordered the Trump administration to reconsider the program.

U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg ruled the Trump administration did not adequately consider whether the work requirements and other changes would help the state give its residents access to health care. Kentucky was the first state in the country approved to require some of its Medicaid recipients to get a job or do some other type of work to keep their Medicaid benefits. 

The new rules were scheduled to take effect Sunday. Republican Governor Matt Bevin has vowed to eliminate Medicaid coverage for more than 400,000 people if his proposal is ultimately struck down.