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Government watchdog expects Medicaid work requirement analysis by fall

Dr. Mehmet Oz speaks during his swearing in ceremony to be administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in the Oval Office of the White House on April 18, 2025, in Washington. This fall, the U.S. Government Accountability Office expects to release a report on how much it costs to run Georgia Pathways to Coverage — the country's only active Medicaid work requirement program — as other states and Congress consider similar programs. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Dr. Mehmet Oz speaks during his swearing in ceremony to be administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in the Oval Office of the White House on April 18, 2025, in Washington. This fall, the U.S. Government Accountability Office expects to release a report on how much it costs to run Georgia Pathways to Coverage — the country's only active Medicaid work requirement program — as other states and Congress consider similar programs. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Dr. Mehmet Oz speaks during his swearing in ceremony to be administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in the Oval Office of the White House on April 18, 2025, in Washington. This fall, the U.S. Government Accountability Office expects to release a report on how much it costs to run Georgia Pathways to Coverage — the country's only active Medicaid work requirement program — as other states and Congress consider similar programs. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

By Sam Whitehead and Renuka Rayasam / KFF Health News 5 min read

The country’s top nonpartisan government watchdog has confirmed it is examining the costs of running the nation’s only active Medicaid work requirement program, as Republican state and federal lawmakers consider similar requirements.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office told KFF Health News that its analysis of the Georgia Pathways to Coverage program could be released this fall.

In its first 100 days, the Trump administration has said rooting out waste in federal programs was a priority, allowing billionaire Elon Musk and the newly created Department of Government Efficiency broad latitude to fundamentally alter the operations of federal agencies.

The idea of a nationwide mandate that requires Medicaid enrollees to either work, study or complete other qualifying activities to maintain coverage is gaining traction as congressional Republicans weigh proposals to cut $880 billion from the federal deficit over 10 years. The savings are intended to offset the costs of President Donald Trump’s priorities, including border security and tax cuts that would largely benefit the wealthy.

A majority of the public — regardless of political leaning — oppose funding cuts to Medicaid, according to polling released May 1 by KFF, a health information nonprofit that includes KFF Health News.