13 states got the greenlight to add work requirements during the first Trump Administration, but courts halted those plans. Now that Trump is back in the White House, some states are trying again.
medicaid
House budget bill should preserve Medicaid’s ‘original purpose,’ says Rep. Jeff Hurd
Medicaid cuts loom over House Republicans’ budget reconciliation. Rep. Jeff Hurd, R-Colo. says the “right reforms,” like work requirements and stopping “improper” spending, could save money.
Medicaid work rules could cut benefits for thousands, DOGE slashes RI Humanities funding, and more
Thousands of Rhode Islanders could lose Medicaid benefits if congress passes new work requirements. We hear about who would feel the greatest impact of such changes, including many people who already work full-time jobs. Also, DOGE has cut more than half a million dollars that was to go to Rhode Island Humanities, money that was appropriated for the nonprofit’s operating funds as well as grants for cultural programming. The group’s executive director shares what the loss will mean for the local economy and culture, and how the organization plans to fight the cuts. Plus, we talk with poet, actor and musician Kwame Dawes, a Brown University professor and the new poet laureate of Jamaica. That and more on this week’s show.
States push Medicaid work rules, but few programs help enrollees find jobs
Some lawmakers are pushing to require that Medicaid recipients work in order to get or keep coverage, and some states already try to help them find jobs. But the effects of those efforts are unclear.
How cutting Medicaid would affect long-term care and family caregivers
The federal program is the biggest source of money for long-term care for the elderly and disabled. Republican proposals to cut its budget could jeopardize supports family and caregivers rely on.
Supreme Court hears case that could see more Planned Parenthood clinics closed
The Supreme Court heard arguments on whether South Carolina can remove Planned Parenthood clinics from its state Medicaid program, even though those funds cannot generally be used to fund abortions.
Dr. Mehmet Oz, Trump’s pick to lead Medicare and Medicaid, gets his Senate hearing
Dr. Mehmet Oz is set to appear before the Senate Finance committee Friday for his confirmation hearing to be the administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Rhode Island lawmakers call on Congress to defend Medicaid
Stephanie Manfredo, a Rhode Island mother of three, says Medicaid was a life saver for her family after several of her children were born at Women & Infants Hospital in Providence with significant health complications. She said she worries about cuts Republican lawmakers in Washington are now considering. “The cuts being proposed could absolutely cripple […]
Rhode Island health centers raise alarm over proposed Medicaid cuts
Famous homeowners like Taylor Swift have helped polish the image of Westerly, R.I. But the tony image belies a harsher reality for the year-round folks in this beach town. More than one in five of the town’s roughly 23,100 residents – close to 5,000 people – are enrolled in Medicaid, the government insurance program for […]
Republican proposals to cut Medicaid could be politically fraught
Republicans are proposing deep cuts to Medicaid to finance tax cuts and other priorities. Pushback is coming not only from Democrats, but also from hospitals that rely on revenue from the program.


