Native Hawaiians Omitted from Groups Exempt from Medicaid Work Requirements

An article published earlier this month in KFF Health News spotlights that Native Hawaiians are not included in the Medicaid work requirement exemptions granted to Native Americans and Alaska Natives under new federal legislation, likely because they lack federal recognition as a tribal nation. Health officials and administrators worry this exclusion will worsen existing healthcare disparities, create administrative hurdles, and disenfranchise Native Hawaiian enrollees – many of whom already face high rates of poverty, homelessness, and geographic isolation.