Medicaid Defense – Resources and Analysis

With a new administration and congress shaping the federal agenda in 2025, legislative proposals to overhaul Medicaid—including block grants, per capita caps, work requirements and other proposals to drastically cut funding and services—are regaining momentum. If enacted, these changes could severely undermine access to health care for millions of low-income individuals, families, and people with disabilities. The National Health Law Program (NHeLP) is prepared to fight these harmful measures and protect Medicaid’s critical role in ensuring health care for underserved communities.

Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provide essential health coverage to almost 80 million people across the US, including millions of low-income children, older adults, and individuals with disabilities. Proposals to shift to block grants or per capita caps would limit federal funding, forcing states to restrict eligibility, cut benefits, or slash provider reimbursement rates.

Work requirements, another likely legislative proposal, would impose significant barriers for individuals who are often working, such as caregivers and low-wage workers, but unable to meet rigid criteria. And individuals who should be exempt from work requirements, particularly people with disabilities and chronic conditions, get caught up in red tape and lose Medicaid.

NHeLP will continue to leverage its legal, policy, and advocacy expertise to oppose these proposals, highlighting their devastating impact and mobilizing coalitions to protect Medicaid’s promise of accessible, comprehensive care.

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Protect Medicaid Funding series

In an updated series of fact sheets, NHeLP outlines the importance of Medicaid related to various populations groups and services Medicaid covers. In particular, the fact sheets focus on how funding caps in particular would impact Medicaid. The data from the “Medicaid Fast Facts” document and information from the 14 fact sheets emphasize the vital nature Medicaid plays in ensuring the health of those enrolled as well as their communities and states.