Judge blocks Medicaid rule narrowing frailty exemptions

A federal judge in Boston blocked the Trump administration from enforcing a rule that made Medicaid’s “medically frail” exemption depend on whether a person’s condition significantly impaired their ability to meet new work requirements. The judge found the restriction exceeded the administration’s authority and could cause eligible people to lose coverage, while also creating costly implementation burdens for states. The ruling leaves the Medicaid work requirements themselves in place, along with other rules governing how states verify medical frailty; the requirements are scheduled to begin in 2027.