ALBURGH, Vt. (WCAX) – The Department of Vermont Health Access is walking back its original estimate that 45,000 people will lose access to Medicaid as a result of the “One Big Beautiful Bill”.
The new requirements and exemptions left many Vermonters confused about whether they still qualify. We’ve learned that it’s less a question of eligibility than it is paperwork.
Matthew LeFluer lives in Alburgh, Vermont. The state designates him as disabled because he has fetal alcohol syndrome. He has spent months worrying he’d lose Medicaid coverage because of the new work requirements from the OBBB.
“For myself, it’s that system that I’m covered currently right now, it’s a lifesaver. Without it, to be actually quite frank, I’d be dead,” said LeFluer.
It wasn’t until later that LeFluer learned disabled folks fall under the “medically frail” exemption. The Department of Health Access says they don’t know how many people will no longer be eligible for—or will lose—Medicaid. Their original estimate stems from concerns that folks are not responding to paperwork.
“Historically, we’ve seen around a 50% non-response rate for additional paperwork requirements,” said Alex McCracken from the Department of Vermont Health Access.
75% of Vermont’s Medicaid population works, according to non-profit KFF, a.k.a. the Kaiser Family Foundation. Beginning January 2027, they will have to prove they’ve been at their jobs 80 hours a month every six months.
“We are working with our partners both in and out of state government to identify ways we can help Vermonters maintain their coverage, such as system modernization, implementing IT and technological improvements in partnership with our colleagues in the Agency of Digital Services,” said McCracken.
Back in Alburgh, LeFluer’s worries for his own safety have subsided. However, there’s still the question of what will happen if beneficiaries don’t or can’t respond.
According to CNN, in Louisiana, only 7% of people responded to a work requirement check pilot. LeFluer believes his neighbors and Vermont’s health economy are still at risk.
“You need the most individuals of Vermonters to participate. If they can’t participate in his or her environment, then we all lose, plain and simple,” said LeFluer.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. must issue guidance to states on how to implement the requirements by November 18th.
