The House GOP's healthcare reform bill comes up for a vote Thursday, but the "flawed" legislation's main problem persists – and at least one improvement under consideration is a bad idea, according to the Heritage Foundation.
In remarks Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union," Heritage President Jim DeMint said the GOP bill won't pass "without improvements," and that he believes President Donald Trump "is ready to listen to improvements."
But one such improvement – a suggestion by the Republican Study Committee to add work requirements to Medicaid that's now under consideration – is not the answer, according to Heritage senior research fellow in domestic policy, Robert Rector.
Under the proposed policy, governors would be given the option of requiring able-bodied adults without dependent children enrolled in Medicaid to hold a job, perform community service, or undertake training as a condition of receiving Medicaid services, Rector writes.
"There are numerous reasons why this policy would prove ineffective."
For one, the proposal is "optional," so "most governors will just ignore it," he writes. Also, work requirements for medical services "would be almost impossible to administer and enforce."
He said a better plan would be for "a serious work requirement" for such able bodied adults getting food stamps – a policy that's already been established.
The House Rules Committee will hold a hearing Wednesday to discuss any changes before the bill goes to the floor.
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.