THE CAP TIMES: Wisconsin’s Medicaid work requirements: Here’s what to know
Based on the provided article from The Cap Times, Wisconsin is preparing to implement new federal Medicaid work requirements on January 1, 2026, which state health officials estimate could cause roughly 63,000 BadgerCare Plus beneficiaries to lose their health insurance. Stemming from a 2025 federal budget reconciliation law, the mandate applies strictly to Medicaid expansion programs and will target adults ages 19–64 who do not have dependent children, are not pregnant, and do not qualify based on a disability. To maintain coverage, non-exempt recipients must complete at least 80 hours per month of work, volunteering, job training, or qualifying educational programs. While state health officials disagree with tying healthcare to employment and worry that complex reporting rules will inadvertently cause eligible people to lose access, Wisconsin plans to utilize an integrated data system and offer short-term hardship exemptions to help mitigate the administrative burden.
