On May 22, 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a reconciliation bill that lessons access to Medicaid services for people with disabilities. The bill cut approximately $716 billion dollars from Medicaid coverage. The bill also included several requirements that may negatively impact recipients with disabilities.
One of the new requirements most talked about is a work requirement for recipients, unless they fit one of the excluded communities. This exemption does include people with disabilities. However, it is unclear if this means all persons who fit the definition of disabled or those who receive some kind of disability benefit. Under the work requirement, recipients must regularly submit proof of their employment, which many see as an administrative burden. there is an opportunity for accessibility challenges for blind and low vision participants. A second administrative burden comes with the eligibility redetermination, which under the new bill must be carried out twice a year. The same administrative and potential accessibility barriers exist.
Finally, many Medicaid charges will rise under the new plan. For instance, a basic procedure may now cost $35. This may seem low, but if the procedure must be done multiple times a year for someone making an income far below the poverty line, this increase in fees may be substantial.