Arkansans Against Medicaid Work Requirements

Taking a stand against Governor Sander’s “Pathway to Prosperity” Waiver

I am calling for support as an Arkansan, born and raised, speaking from my personal circumstances. My husband and I are both dealing with physical disabilities and work full-time in caregiving for his grandparents. News about Governor Huckabee-Sanders' initiative to impose work requirements for Medicaid eligibility is alarming. Thousands of Arkansans struggle with similar circumstances, and their access to critical healthcare is at stake.

Imposing work requirements on Medicaid recipients will cause significant harm to an already vulnerable population. Governor Huckabee-Sanders claims that this so-called "Pathway to Prosperity" aims to ensure that "able-bodied" individuals are not overly reliant on government assistance.

As demonstrated by our personal story, the situation isn't always so cut and dry. While a significant percentage of Medicaid recipients are already working, the remaining portion should not necessarily be considered "able-bodied" individuals without jobs.

The Pathway to Prosperity waiver indicates that those with disabilities would be exempt from the requirements, but does not specify the criteria for determining whether an individual is disabled.

In any case, I encourage my fellow Arkansans to think and act with compassion and understanding. If you or your loved ones stand to be affected by this legislation, please make your voice heard by signing this petition. Even if you won't be impacted by this legislation, please consider signing to support your fellow citizens in maintaining access to essential healthcare. I hope we can stand together as Arkansans and protect those who can't protect themselves. Medicaid may need reform, but the proposed work requirements are not the answer!

 

Additional Considerations:

Though Arkansas ranks low in a variety of national health metrics, there is one in which the Natural State ranks favorably. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, only 8.4% of Arkansans lack health coverage, ranking in 35th place nationally. 

That number could increase if the “Pathway to Prosperity” is approved. This waiver proposed by Governor Sanders supposedly aims to help “able-bodied” recipients of Medicaid find employment. However, in 2023, the Kaiser Family Foundation reported that 64% of non-disabled Medicaid adults were already working. And, since the pandemic, many more people have become entirely reliant on the healthcare Medicaid provides.

It's also important to note how similar legislation has impacted other states. Michigan's own work requirement policy led to 80,000 people losing their healthcare coverage in only two months, according to the CBPP.

Arkansas previously imposed work requirements on Medicaid in 2018, resulting in 18,000 residents losing coverage before a federal judge ruled against the policy.

Before Mike Beebe expanded Medicaid with the Affordable Care Act in 2013, low-income individuals without children did not qualify for Medicaid. Medicaid was a government program then, not administered by private insurance providers as it is today. Many healthcare providers wouldn't accept qualified Medicaid beneficiaries as patients, Arkansans with and without Medicaid coverage either relied on free clinics or ignored health issues until they became acute. As a result, they resorted to emergency rooms, leaving (that were already struggling) rural hospitals with the bill. 

Imposing work requirements on Arkansas Medicaid could trigger a repeat of this burdensome cycle. Hence, we must take actionable steps to prevent the enactment of this legislation and ensure that Arkansans keep their access to essential healthcare services. Please, sign this petition to support our cause against the imposition of Medicaid work requirements by Governor Huckabee-Sanders.

 

Our Story:

I am a 32 year old female diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, General Anxiety Disorder, Clinical Depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and suffer from an undiagnosed condition that causes dizziness and disequilibrium, among other debilitating symptoms.

My husband is a 35 year old male with Trigeminal Neuralgia, scoliosis, and multiple rods and screws in his right leg from a previous injury, among other conditions.

Though we still struggled immensely, we previously worked and paid into this system for over half of our lives. Now, our conditions have worsened with age, our responsibilities and priorities have shifted. We are full-time caregivers for both of his elderly grandparents.

We are only two Arkansans among the thousands in similar situations who face losing their health coverage. Access to life-saving healthcare should not be tied to employment. Please help us take a stand against this legislation. We need your support to make a positive difference in our state!

 

What else can we do to help?

Along with signing the petition, you can also:

Email your local representative and senator. Follow this link to find your local representative.

Click here to find your Arkansas Senator. Send an email to each of them and voice your concerns about the Medicaid work requirements.

Share this petition on social media.

Make your voice heard and take a stand at one of these events:

Pathway to Prosperity-ARHome-Public Forum (Zoom Meeting)​

Pathway to Propserity-ARHome-Advisory Panel (Zoom Meeting)

Increase Awareness. Speak with friends and family about this issue, ask them to sign the petition. If possible, get others involved so they can help make a difference!

Sources:

Kaiser Family Foundation​

Center on Budget and Policy Priorities​

Medicaid Work Requirement Reboot Moves Arkansas In Wrong Direction by Rich Shumate