Update: The Department of Medicaid extended the time for public comments on the new requirements until January 21st at 5pm. This article has been updated to reflect this change.

The state of Ohio recently submitted a proposal to require people between the ages of 19 and 55 to prove they are employed in order to be eligible for Medicaid coverage. They call the proposal a “work requirement,” but that’s just another name for Medicaid cuts. It will kick an estimated 61,826 Ohioans off health insurance and add significant paperwork and other hurdles to a program that is already difficult to navigate.

Making it harder to access health care will not improve health care for families.

The proposed changes will apply to single adults or couples without children on Medicaid making less than $15,060 for an individual or $20,440 for a family of two yearly.

To qualify for Medicaid under the proposed changes, a person must meet at least one of the following criteria:

In Ohio and elsewhere, work requirements have neither increased access to insurance nor led people into the workforce. Still, legislators are pushing them, despite how expensive and complicated it will be to verify the employment status of tens of thousands of people.

Proponents of these Medicaid cuts are hoping they can sneak this through during the holiday season, but there is still time to make your voice heard!

The Department of Medicaid is hearing public comments on the new requirements until January 21st at 5pm. Email comments to [email protected].

Here’s an example:

To the Department of Ohio Medicaid,

Introduce yourself

My name is ____ and I am a current Ohio resident. I am also a {current Medicaid recipient, family member, concerned Ohioan, etc.} who is deeply concerned by the proposed work requirements and their potential impact on my family.

Tell your why: How would this program change impact your family or community?

The proposed work requirements would make it more difficult for people like me to access Medicaid by adding huge administrative burdens to being enrolled in the program. States like Georgia have already seen that Medicaid work requirements hurt access to programs.

I am worried that the new work requirements will make it more difficult to change jobs and get coverage, especially for people with pre-existing conditions who may not be able to consistently work. I worry about being kicked off my health insurance coverage because of a simple miscommunication.

Ask Questions. For example:

How will the department learn who is working and who is not?

What if someone is homeless or experiencing domestic violence?

What if someone is unemployed and actively searching for a job? Does that count as working?

Who will decide or verify if someone is sick enough to remain in the program without working?

Who will have access to my personal information?

Ohio spends billions on handouts for corporations, vouchers for private schools, and tax cuts for the extremely wealthy. Why not use some of that funding to make sure everyone can get the health care they need?

State your firm disagreement with the program

I do not believe this will benefit other Ohioans or myself. For this reason, I am strongly opposed to the new changes.

{Your Name}