A stack of dirty dishes in a kitchen sink
Parents understand the consequences of giving kids money without requiring any work: dirty dishes pile up in the sink while they’re glued to their video games.
This mindset drives Republican efforts to impose work requirements on those receiving safety net benefits. The belief is that without incentives to work, individuals will remain reliant on aid programs. By introducing work incentives, some may lift themselves out of poverty.
Speaker Mike Johnson stated: “You don’t want able-bodied individuals on programs intended for struggling single mothers. Medicaid is designed for those in need, not for adult males lounging at home playing video games.”
To reduce the cost of Medicaid and other safety net programs, Republicans are likely to advocate for work requirements, a strategy backed by many Americans.
However, the effectiveness of work requirements is questionable. For instance, when Connecticut enforced work requirements for SNAP recipients in 2016, many lost benefits. A study in JAMA Internal Medicine illustrated a 5% decline in SNAP enrollment:
Decrease in SNAP enrollment post work requirements
To determine if individuals secured employment or lost benefits, consider the consistency in Medicaid enrollment. Despite the decline in SNAP participation, Medicaid enrollment remained stable:
Consistent Medicaid enrollment after SNAP work requirements
While work requirements aim to motivate individuals to work and alleviate poverty, the reality is that most individuals on assistance already desire employment. Many face barriers like illness, childcare costs, or caregiving responsibilities.
If work requirements were effective, they would be supported. But since they are not, policies should focus on helping individuals secure stable, well-paying jobs without penalizing those unable to work themselves out of poverty.
