House advances broad public-assistance changes including ‘Work Without Worry’ and WIC restrictions

House File 2716 — a multi-division bill addressing Medicaid eligibility for employed people with disabilities, reimbursement adjustments for home-and-community-based services, work-incentive provisions branded "Work Without Worry," reporting on SNAP and Medicaid error rates, and restrictions on WIC eligibility — passed the House after extended floor debate and multiple amendments.

Representative Harris, who sponsored the bill, said the package raises Medicaid eligibility thresholds and would require quarterly reporting on error rates to allow the legislature to anticipate federal penalties. Supporters argued the bill would enable people with disabilities to work more without losing essential health benefits. Representative Scholten shared a constituent story about Alex Waters, a quadriplegic employee and city council member, urging passage of an amendment to protect workers with disabilities. Scholten said providing the ability to work without losing Medicaid is important for dignity and economic participation.

Opponents strongly criticized provisions that would restrict WIC participation to citizens or qualified aliens, with Representatives Wilburn, Brown Powers, Ramirez and others arguing it would harm infants and shift burdens to food banks and local economies. Representative Brown Powers flagged division 4's fiscal note, saying that section alone was estimated to cost about $40.9 million in FY 2027 with ongoing costs of nearly $4 million; several members argued those fiscal estimates and implementation timelines raised concerns about feasibility.

After the House adopted amendments (including Scholten's and Harris's), HF 2716 passed on a recorded vote (62 ayes, 30 no, 8 absent) and will be transmitted to the Senate.