2026 Medicaid Work Requirement Rule

About the Medicaid Work Requirement Rule

On June 1, 2026, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a rule that requires certain Medicaid enrollees to show they are working, volunteering, or participating in other “qualifying activities” for at least 80 hours each month. This rule takes effect July 31, 2026 and must be implemented by state Medicaid offices by January 1, 2027.

As written, this rule may negatively affect the sickle cell disease (SCD) community. Sick Cells is taking action and asks the community to join us:

1. Submit a public comment to CMS HERE by July 31, 2026. (Check out our toolkit for a step by step guide)
2. View our Community Sign-on Letter below.
3. View our webinars and resources below for more information.

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Community Sign-on Letter

Sick Cells is joined by 49 Community Based Organizations and institutions in the below community sign-on letter sent to CMS on July 28, 2026. View the full letter by clicking the image or button below.

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Webinar Series

Sick Cells hosted a 2 part webinar series to share information about the Interim Final Rule (IFR) regarding work requirements: what’s at stake, what we’re doing about it, and how you can take action by submitting a public comment to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Watch the webinars below: