A federal judge has ruled against a Trump administration rule that would have imposed stricter work requirements for Medicaid recipients. U.S. District Judge Richard Stearns sided with 25 states led by Democrats, stating that the rule could lead to the loss of coverage for chronically ill individuals. The ruling addresses concerns over the administration's definition of 'medically frail,' which was deemed too restrictive. Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania celebrated the decision, framing it as a victory for those reliant on Medicaid.
Key facts
- U.S. District Judge Richard Stearns issued the ruling on October 29, 2026.
- The ruling affects Medicaid work requirements for adults aged 19 to 64.
- The CMS rule required 80 hours of community engagement monthly starting January 1, 2027.
- The lawsuit was led by Democratic attorneys general from California, Massachusetts, and New Jersey.
- Nearly 66 million adults and 7.2 million children are covered by Medicaid annually.
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