Jobs and Opportunities for Medicaid Act

This bill would require many adults on Medicaid to work or volunteer to keep their health coverage. If you are an “able-bodied” adult, you must average at least 20 hours each week of work or volunteering. If you do not meet this for the month, the state would not provide Medicaid coverage for that month. Volunteering counts toward the hours. These rules would start on January 1, 2026 .

Some people would not have to meet this rule. You are exempt if you are under 18 or over 65, medically unable to work, pregnant, the main caregiver of a young child under 6, the main caregiver of a child with a serious medical condition or disability (as determined by the state), receiving unemployment benefits and following those work rules, or in a drug or alcohol treatment program. The bill’s summary confirms the 20-hour weekly average requirement for adults ages 18–65, unless they qualify for one of these listed reasons .

Key points:

• Who is affected: Able-bodied adults on Medicaid, generally ages 18–65, unless exempt .
• What changes: Must work or volunteer at least 20 hours per week (monthly average) to keep coverage; states cannot cover months when the requirement isn’t met .
• Exemptions: Under 18, over 65, medically unfit, pregnant, primary caregiver of a young child or a child with serious health needs, on unemployment benefits and following rules, or in substance use treatment.
• When: Starts January 1, 2026 .