Item 1: 167 Scholars Tell a Federal Court: CMS Rewrote the Medicaid Disability Exemption
On Oct. 28, the American Public Health Association and 167 public health deans, chairs and scholars filed an amicus brief in Taylor v. Kennedy. They argue the CMS rule makes people with qualifying conditions also prove their condition "significantly impairs" their ability to meet the 80-hour monthly work requirement, and limits the evidence states can use. They ask the court to vacate those parts of the rule.
Why it matters to our community: Congress wrote an exclusion for medically frail people, including people with certain disabilities. Advocates say CMS is shrinking it by rule.
Source: American Public Health Association, Oct. 28, 2026 — https://www.apha.org/news-and-media/news-releases/apha-news-releases/amicas-brief-challenging-cms-medicaid-work-requirement
Item 2: Indiana Unveils Its "Medically Frail" List, and HIV Isn't Automatically On It
Indiana says its definition could exempt about 140,000 people, but about 54,000 are still at risk of losing coverage when work requirements start Jan. 1. WFYI reports the federal exemption was recently narrowed to people who would actively be unable to work. Advocates worry people living with HIV are not on the automatic tier, and the state says they would have to provide proof.
Why it matters to our community: Having a disability or chronic condition isn't enough anymore. You may have to prove it, on the state's timeline.
Source: WFYI Public Media, Oct. 28, 2026 — https://www.wfyi.org/statewide/2026-10-28/state-unveils-medical-frailty-definition-advocates-concerned-it-doesnt-automatically-include-hiv
Item 3: Colorado Braces for Coverage Loss and Six-Month Renewals
Colorado's Medicaid director said she expects the changes "will result in, or already have resulted in, coverage loss" and more paperwork. Work requirements will hit about 175,000 Coloradans, and renewals shrink to every six months next year. Colorado Newsline notes Arkansas lost about 18,000 adults in one year in 2018, mostly from unreported data, without a meaningful rise in employment.
Why it matters to our community: Paperwork is the weapon. Missed mail and missed forms mean lost care, and Florida families should expect the same fight.
Source: Colorado Newsline, Oct. 29, 2026 — https://coloradonewsline.com/2026/10/29/colorado-medicaid-eligibility-changes/
Mr. Wheels take
Talking point: Congress said medically frail people are protected. If an agency adds hoops to that promise, that isn't implementation, it's a cut.
Take action: Call the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121, ask for your senators, and tell them to protect the medical frailty exemption as Congress wrote it. Then update your mailing address with your state Medicaid office today.
Real voices. Real impact. Real change. — Mr. Wheels