Santucci Votes to Urge President Trump to implement Medicaid Work Requirements

Majority Whip Nick Santucci (R-Niles) today voted in support of Senate Concurrent Resolution 5 – urging President Trump to implement work requirements for Medicaid expansion recipients.

“I’m proud to support this resolution urging President Trump to implement work requirements for Medicaid expansion recipients,” said Santucci. “The best opportunity we can offer Ohioans is a path to meaningful employment—empowering individuals to lift themselves up and break free from the cycle of poverty. This is a commonsense policy that affirms the dignity of work and helps connect people with opportunity. I’m grateful to my colleagues in the legislature for advancing this important resolution.”

This request was made by the Ohio Department of Medicaid to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in February this year. 

Should this request be approved, starting January 1, 2026, to be enrolled in Medicaid Group VIII services, an individual must satisfy at least one of the following criteria:  

• Be at least fifty-five years of age
• Be employed
• Be enrolled in school or an occupational training program
• Be participating in an alcohol and drug addiction treatment program
• Have intensive physical health care needs or serious mental illness

By encouraging employment and education, this would reduce reliance on Medicaid services over time, helping fill jobs and helping Ohioans prosper. 

Currently in Ohio, there are 144,792 jobs available and 93,389 of them have over a $50,000 salary. 

The resolution is now adopted, and the Ohio Department of Medicaid awaits a decision from the Federal Government to approve or deny the waiver.