November 13, 2026

Wyden and Pallone Statement on Optional Hold Harmless of Medicaid Work Reporting Requirements

Announcement from Trump-Vance Administration Comes After Top Health Care Democrats Call for Delay of Unworkable and Harmful Medicaid Cuts

Washington, D.C. — Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr., D-N.J., today issued the following statement after the Trump-Vance administration announced a six month “hold harmless” period that states may opt into to defer disenrollments for Medicaid beneficiaries. 

“The Trump-Vance administration finally admitted what Democrats have said from the very beginning: Republicans’ chaotic maze of red tape requirements jeopardize the health care of millions of Americans,” Wyden and Pallone said. “This disenrollment delay is a small step in the right direction, but it does not avert the disaster ahead. As the incoming chairs of the committees responsible for Medicaid, we are preparing to lead a relentless fight to preserve Medicaid coverage and care for every eligible person. In the meantime, we urge every state to take up this option and protect the Americans that count on them for access to lifesaving health care.”

Earlier this week, Wyden and Pallone sent a letter calling for a full implementation delay of work reporting requirements.

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