Lafayette Reporter

Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana has written an op-ed for National Review advocating for the introduction of work requirements to Medicaid. According to Kennedy, such a measure would not only reduce costs for taxpayers but also enhance the health and well-being of those enrolled in the program.

Kennedy questions why Medicaid does not encourage more Americans to join the workforce, stating, "Medicaid is supposed to be an investment in our country’s health and well-being. So why doesn’t the program encourage more Americans to enter the workforce and improve their physical, mental, and financial health?"

He cites studies indicating that employment contributes positively to mental and physical health. "Numerous studies have shown that human beings are happier and healthier when they are employed," he writes. He further notes that long-term unemployment is linked with increased rates of cardiovascular disease, depression, and anxiety.

Kennedy points out that approximately 15 million able-bodied adults without dependents currently receive Medicaid benefits without any work obligation. He argues that both taxpayers and recipients would benefit from a work requirement: "Still, taxpayers today are footing the bill for an estimated 15 million able-bodied adults without children or other dependents to receive health-care coverage under Medicaid without any obligation to get a job."

The senator highlights the growing financial burden of Medicaid on federal and state budgets, noting that spending has nearly doubled since 2020 due in part to COVID-19. He warns of unsustainable costs approaching $1 trillion annually: "This is unsustainable. Medicaid is well on its way to costing taxpayers $1 trillion per year."

Kennedy calls for Congress to implement incentives encouraging able-bodied individuals to become self-sufficient: "Congress must find a way to get able-bodied Americans back on their feet and off Medicaid."

In his concluding remarks, Kennedy emphasizes the value of hard work as part of America's identity: "Adding a work requirement to Medicaid will make the United States a stronger, healthier country and remind the world that America respects the dignity of hard work."