There is a lot of information pouring out about the One, Big, Beautiful Bill or H.R 1. recently passed by congress. Numbers in the millions and billions are sweeping headlines, but it can be hard to know what these cuts will mean for you. In this article, we take a closer look at the addition and expansion of work requirements for people enrolled in critical safety net programs like Medicaid and food assistance (SNAP, or Basic Food in Washington)—what these changes are, when they’re set to take effect, and why women—especially moms, caregivers, and older women—are likely to be among the hardest hit.

Medicaid: Work Requirements for the First Time 

H.R. 1 introduces mandatory work requirements for Medicaid, something that has never existed before in the program’s history. 

Beginning on December 31st, 2026, states will begin requiring non-disabled adults ages 19 – 64, without young kids, to work, volunteer, or go to school at least 80 hours a month to keep their health coverage. 

92% of people in this group are already working. The people who will be hit the hardest by this change are mostly older women who left the workforce to care for kids or aging parents. 

Because this is completely new for states, they can request a two-year delay to implement these requirements, so it will likely not be everything all at once. 

SNAP (Basic Food): Expanded Requirements 

Unlike Medicaid, SNAP – or Basic Food in Washington, previously required non-disabled adults of working age, without kids, to work in order to receive support – unless they fell under certain exempted groups.  

H.R. 1 changes this. Now, as soon as states receive instructions from the US Department of Agriculture adults up to age 65, veterans, people experiencing homelessness, some Native American adults, and caregivers of older children, age 14 and up. will all be expected to work. If these individuals are unemployed for more than three months in three years, they stand to lose assistance. 

This will hurt women who are more likely to earn lower wages due to varying factors contributing to the gender wage gap and receive Food Assistance. It will especially hurt moms. In 2020, almost half of all kids on SNAP had single mothers. Moms with older kids are at risk of losing hundreds of dollars each year that help put food on the table. 

To summarize: 

• New SNAP work requirements could start in the coming months. 

• Medicaid work requirements are set for 2027, but states may delay them by up to two years.

To get the most accurate and up to date information, and to learn how to prepare for these changes, go to dshs.wa.gov/office-locations to find your local office and give them a call. The earlier you can get started, the better. 

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Sources:  

• The Truth About the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s Cuts to Medicaid and Medicare - Center for American Progress,
• When will Trump’s ‘big’ tax law take effect? Here’s what to expect. | The Seattle Times
• What the data says about food stamps in the U.S. | Pew Research Center 
• The Far-Reaching Harmful Impacts of the Reconciliation Bill — on Families, Older Adults, Immigrants, and State Budgets - Food Research & Action Center