Health care: the 2025 Medicaid changes
What they say
In the October 6 debate, Barrett said the Medicaid changes he voted for stop covering people in the country illegally, stop covering people who were not eligible, and add modest work requirements for able-bodied working-age adults.
What the record shows ·
He voted for H.R. 1, which became Public Law 119-21 in July 2025 (Roll Calls 145 and 190). From October 1, 2026, apart from emergency care and a few other exceptions, federal Medicaid pays only for citizens, green card holders, Cuban and Haitian entrants and people from the Compact of Free Association nations, and the federal share of emergency care for people without lawful status is capped. Starting in 2027, states must recheck expansion adults' eligibility every six months, and by then must require those aged 19 to 64 to work, volunteer or join a work program 80 hours a month, or attend school at least half time. States can ask for more time on the work rule, up to the end of 2028.
Limit: Before this law, federal Medicaid already paid only for emergency care for people in the country illegally, and it still pays for that care. The six-month checks start in 2027; the work rule starts by 2027 unless a state gets more time.