At least six states will require Medicaid enrollees to submit proof that a health condition keeps them from working, rather than accepting their own sworn statement, when federal work requirements begin in January, the Associated Press reported on Sept. 26. Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, and Ohio have laws or policies that bar self-attestation for the medical frailty exemption starting next year. Federal rules allow states to take an enrollee's word in 2027 when no reliable data are available.
The change will be felt most by people who are sick but have no recent medical records. "Someone may not be able to work, but they can't see a doctor because they can't afford it," Jennifer Tolbert, director of state health policy and data at KFF, told the AP.
