LWVUS Joins Amicus Opposing Medicaid Work Requirements

WASHINGTON—Late Wednesday, the League of Women Voters of the United States joined partners, including the National Women’s Law Center, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, and law firm Holland & Knight LLP, in filing an amicus brief in support of plaintiffs in a trio of U.S. Supreme Court cases challenging the imposition of work requirements on Medicaid recipients.  

“As an organization with a 100-year-long history advocating for accessible and equitable healthcare for all, the League of Women Voters is proud to join this lawsuit opposing work requirements for Medicaid recipients,” said Dr. Deborah Ann Turner, board president of the League of Women Voters of the United States. “The data show that Medicaid work requirements severely harm women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals. The COVID-19 pandemic has made clear the cruelty of tying essential social benefits to employment. This must change.” 

Medicaid demonstration waivers offer states an avenue to test new approaches that differ from what is federally required. These programs can provide flexibility in operation, which make them beneficial to the applicable communities. The three cases, Cochran v. Gresham, Cochran v. Philbrick, and Arkansas v. Gresham, challenge the United States Department of Health and Human Services' approval of Medicaid demonstration projects in Arkansas and New Hampshire that impose work requirements as a condition for receiving these Medicaid benefits. 

The League of Women Voters is joined in this case by a broad coalition of 52 organizations, including good government groups, reproductive justice groups, LGBTQ rights organizations, domestic violence prevention groups, and other women's rights organizations.

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PRESS CONTACT: Kayla Vix | 202-809-9668 | [email protected]