People with cancer or HIV could lose Medicaid under new work rules, advocates say

June 3, 2026 - 18:34

Adults enrolled in Medicaid would soon need to work at least 80 hours each month under new federal rules being pushed by the Trump administration. The policy, which advocates say could devastate the most vulnerable patients, requires people with serious illnesses like cancer or HIV to formally prove they are too sick to work in order to qualify for an exemption.

The administration argues the work requirement is meant to encourage self-sufficiency and reduce dependency on government aid. But critics say the burden of proof will fall on people who are already struggling with debilitating treatments, frequent hospital visits, and the financial strain of chronic disease. A cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy, for example, would need to submit medical documentation to show they cannot hold a job. If they fail to do so, they could lose their health coverage entirely.

Advocacy groups warn that the rules ignore the reality of how serious illness interacts with poverty. Many low-income patients lack reliable access to doctors who can quickly provide the required paperwork. Others may not even know they need to apply for an exemption until their benefits are already cut off. The result, opponents say, will be a wave of coverage losses among people who rely on Medicaid for life-saving treatment.

The policy is expected to face legal challenges, similar to previous work requirement attempts that were blocked by courts. For now, patients and healthcare providers are left waiting to see if the rules will take effect and how many people will fall through the cracks.