Arkansas to “soft launch” upcoming Medicaid work requirement checks

By: Ainsley Platt

Outlets: Arkansas Advocate

Published: February 20, 2026

Words: 780

Last Updated: 3 weeks ago

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Arkansas will begin checking the employment status of some Medicaid beneficiaries this summer under what’s being billed as a “soft launch” of work requirements that aren’t set to be enforced until next year.

Mary Franklin, DHS’ director of the Division of County Operations, told lawmakers Thursday that the new work requirements under the “Big Beautiful Bill” spending and tax cut measure signed by President Donald Trump would not be enforced until January. The department planned …

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