KOMO News

Survey shows majority of Washington's Medicaid recipients are unaware of changes coming

In July 2025, President Donald Trump signed the Big Beautiful Bill into law. It’s estimated to cut federal Medicaid spending by $1 trillion over the next decade. Washington state spends about $21 billion dollars on Medicaid each year, with more than half of that funding coming from the federal government; now, the state expects to lose billions of those dollars from D.C. The most recent state budget does try to make a dent, spending $165 million to directly mitigate the costs of the bill. But several changes, aside from spending cuts, are coming to the program in just about six months. By December 31 of this year, the state must implement new work requirements for Medicaid eligibility. That means Americans between ages 19-64 have to be working, attending school, or volunteering at least 80 hours each month to maintain coverage. A recent survey by the Health Management Academy shows that 55% of Medicaid enrollees are completely unaware that work requirements are around the corner; an additional 27% say they have heard something but don't know the details. And proof of eligibility will be required every six months, too, rather than annually, something 85% of enrollees do not know. -------------------------------------------------- For more on the story: https://komonews.com/news/politics/survey-shows-majority-of-washingtons-medicaid-recipients-are-unaware-of-changes-coming-big-beautiful-bill-health-care-hospital-insurance-debt-economy-employment-school-senioe-retirement-enroll _______________ Stay up to date with our social media: https://www.facebook.com/KOMONews/ https://twitter.com/komonews http://instagram.com/komo4 https://www.tiktok.com/@komo4seattle Download our iOS App: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/komo-news-mobile/id433508161?mt=8 Download our Android App: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.newssynergy.komo&hl=en Have a news tip? Send it directly to us: Email us: [email protected] Call the Newsroom: 206.404.4000 KOMO News (ABC 4) provides the latest breaking news, sports, weather, traffic, and local event coverage in the Seattle and Western Washington/Puget Sound area, including Bellevue, Redmond, Renton, Kent, Tacoma, Bellingham, Yakima, and surrounding communities. This video and all Sinclair Broadcast Group content archives of local news and sports coverage are available for your use. For more information, contact us at [email protected] #komo #komonews #komo4 #komo4news #seattle #seattlenews #washingtonnews