Arkansas will begin preparing Medicaid expansion recipients for new federal work requirements this summer, months before the mandate takes effect.
State officials on Thursday announced a “soft launch” will begin in July to notify enrollees in the ARHOME program about changes that will take effect Jan. 1, 2027, according to reporting from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
The requirement stems from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed last year by President Donald Trump. It requires Medicaid recipients ages 19 to 64 to complete at least 80 hours of work, job training, education, or volunteer service each month. Exceptions apply to disabled veterans, caregivers, pregnant and postpartum women, and those with special medical needs.
About 217,000 Arkansans are enrolled in ARHOME, officials said. During the July-to-December outreach period, the Department of Human Services will notify recipients whether they appear to meet the requirement using existing data sources.
State Rep. Denise Garner, D-Fayetteville, urged early notification to prevent coverage losses.
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