Today, the Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congressman Cedric L. Richmond (D-LA-02), released the following statement in response to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) announcement of a new policy that will allow states – for the first time – to impose work requirements on Medicaid recipients.

“Imposing work requirements on Medicaid recipients is counterproductive and most likely illegal. Medicaid recipients who are able to work are already working, and the law does not allow states to impose work requirements as a condition of receiving Medicaid coverage.

“The policy announced today is a sad and shameful attack on the most vulnerable among us. The last thing Americans who have fallen on hard times need is to lose their healthcare so Washington Republicans can take a political victory lap at their expense.

“The Congressional Black Caucus condemns this policy in no uncertain terms and the many other policies implemented by this Administration since January 20, 2017, that hurt poor and working-class Americans.”