CWA Legislative Action

H.R. 2811, known as the Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023, is a Republican debt ceiling bill that introduces several significant changes, particularly to social support programs such as Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This bill was passed by the House of Representatives on April 26, 2023.

A primary concern of the bill is the implementation of work requirements for certain Medicaid enrollees, specifically non-elderly adults (aged 19-55) who are not on Supplemental Security Income or Medicare. These enrollees would need to work or participate in other qualifying activities such as community service or job training for at least 80 hours per month. There are some exemptions for those who are physically or mentally unfit for employment, pregnant, caring for a dependent, or enrolled in school at least half time. However, those failing to meet the requirements for three or more months may face federal funding cuts for their Medicaid expenses, which may result in disenrollment from the program​​.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that if the proposal were fully implemented in 2024, 1.7 million enrollees would not meet work or reporting requirements and potentially face disenrollment. States could continue to provide Medicaid to these enrollees but would not receive federal matching funds for doing so. It is uncertain if any states would choose to do this, though CBO estimated over half of enrollees would continue to be covered at the states’ expense​​.

H.R. 2811 also applies to SNAP, extending the work requirements age range from 18-49 to 18-55 and eliminating the ability of states to roll over their unused exemptions from federal work requirements​​.

The potential negative impacts on workers and SNAP recipients largely stem from the introduced work requirements. Critics argue that these could potentially lead to disenrollment from vital programs for those unable to meet the requirements, resulting in an increased number of uninsured individuals and heightened financial pressure on states that choose to maintain coverage with state-only funds. This could, in turn, lead to increased state costs and the number of people without health insurance, without changing the employment status or hours worked by Medicaid recipients, as per the CBO's analysis​​.

We need your voice to be heard now more than ever. We urge you to reach out to your local congressperson and express your opposition to H.R. 2811. This proposed legislation carries implications that would affect us all, and it's essential to communicate our concerns to those who represent us. Remember, our strength is in our unity and our collective voice. Don't let this opportunity to influence the future of our profession pass by. Stand with your fellow CWA members and advocate against H.R. 2811 today. Your action can make a real difference.