Full Citation
Title: Levels of Employment and Community Engagement among Low-Income Adults: Implications for Medicaid Work Requirements
Citation Type: Journal Article
Publication Year: 2020
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DOI: 10.1215/03616878-8641567
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Abstract: Context: Twenty states are pursuing community engagement requirements (“work requirements”) in Medicaid, though legal challenges are ongoing. While most nondisabled low-income individuals work, it is less clear how many engage in the required number of hours of qualifying community engagement activities and what heterogeneity may exist by race/ethnicity, age, and gender. The authors' objective was to estimate current levels of employment and other community engagement activities among potential Medicaid beneficiaries. Methods: The authors analyzed the US Census Bureau's national time-use survey data for the years 2015 through 2018. Their main sample consisted of nondisabled adults between 19 and 64 years with family incomes less than 138% of the federal poverty level (N = 2,551). Findings: Nationally, low-income adults who might become subject to Medicaid work requirements already spent an average of 30 hours per week on community engagement activities. However, 22% of the low-income population—particularly women, older adults, and those with less education—would not currently satisfy a 20-hour-per-week requirement. Conclusions: Although the majority of potential Medicaid beneficiaries already meet community engagement requirements or are exempt, 22% would not currently satisfy a 20-hour-per-week requirement and therefore could be at risk for losing coverage.
User Submitted?: No
Authors: Soni, Aparna; Gian, Cong; Simon, Kosali; Sommers, Benjamin D.
Periodical (Full): Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law
Issue: 6
Volume: 45
Pages: 1059-1082
Data Collections: IPUMS Time Use - ATUS
Topics: Labor Force and Occupational Structure, Other, Poverty and Welfare
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