Stricter Medicaid Requirements Harming Rural Americans Disproportionately

Stricter Medicaid Requirements Harming Rural Americans Disproportionately

Medicaid work requirements have now been implemented in a number of states to increase restrictions on access to Medicaid. While 24 percent of rural kids live in poverty, nineteen percent of urban kids live in poverty. These additional restrictions are disproportionately harming those in rural areas where access to work, health care providers, and affordably priced groceries is already limited. Stakeholders are urging improvements in policy to be sensitive to rural areas. “Having health care coverage is one victory, but actually getting care is another story.”