Do Work Requirements Work? with Laura Harker

Work requirements are a common bargaining chip for some policymakers when legislating programs like Medicaid, SNAP and TANF. But do they really work to increase employment rates for enrollees in these programs?In this episode we talk to Laura Harker, senior policy analyst at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, about the history of work requirements and what other states have experienced when trying to implement them.Bottom line: work requirements don't work like many think they will. Instead of increasing employment, they end up taking critical health care away from those who need it the most.Resources from this episode:Expanding Work Requirements Would Make It Harder for People to Meet Basic Needs (CBPP research article, March 2023)Taking Medicaid Away for Not Meeting a Work-Reporting Requirement Would Keep People From Health Care (CBPP research article, April 2023)Can You Keep Your Medicaid in Arkansas? digital boardgame