To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to establish a community engagement requirement for certain individuals under the Medicaid program.

H.R. 1279 would establish work requirements for Medicaid recipients between ages 18 and 65. Under the proposed bill, these individuals would need to work, engage in community service, or participate in an employment or training program for at least 80 hours per month. If someone fails to meet these requirements for three or more months in a year, states would be allowed to remove them from Medicaid coverage and the federal government would stop paying for their benefits.

The bill includes exemptions for certain groups, including pregnant individuals, parents or caretakers of children or incapacitated people, those physically or mentally unfit to work, people already meeting work requirements through other federal programs, individuals in drug or alcohol treatment programs, and students enrolled at least half-time in school. The bill is currently in the House and has been referred to committee for consideration. If enacted, it could significantly affect how states administer Medicaid and which individuals remain eligible for the program.