Senator Markwayne Mullin Delivers Common Sense On Medicaid Reform: “We don’t pay people in this country to be lazy” |

Senator Mullin Advocates for Medicaid Reform on Meet the Press

In a recent appearance on Meet the Press, Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) articulated a straightforward, if controversial, perspective on Medicaid reform. He posed a pointed question to host Kristin Welker: “What is so hard about requiring an able-bodied individual with no dependents and no medical conditions to work 20 hours a week?”

Mullin continued by referencing the weekend work habits of many Americans, including Welker herself. “I know you worked more than 20 hours this weekend alone,” he noted, implying that a work requirement for certain Medicaid recipients should be seen as a reasonable expectation rather than an undue burden.

“We don’t pay people in this country to be lazy. We want to give them an opportunity,” Mullin stated, framing the discussion around the notion of personal responsibility. His remarks underscored a belief that Medicaid, originally intended as a safety net, has been subject to misuse and should be preserved for those genuinely in need.

“When individuals face tough times, we aim to provide a helping hand. That’s what Medicaid was designed for; unfortunately, it has been abused,” he lamented. Mullin’s focus, he asserted, is on ensuring that Medicaid remains accessible for individuals who truly require assistance, while simultaneously eliminating “fraud, waste, and abuse.”

For more context, the Economic Policy Innovation Center has highlighted that Medicaid, a program meant to support society’s most vulnerable, has been financially misallocated, with tax dollars spent on able-bodied adults, including undocumented individuals.

Markwayne Mullin to Kristen Welker on work requirements: “What is so hard about requiring an able-bodied individual with no dependents, no sickness, work 20 hours a week? I know you worked more than 20 hours this weekend alone … we don’t pay people in this country to be… pic.twitter.com/DIyj2dGHaG

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 29, 2025

Don’t forget why Medicaid reform is needed in OBBB.

The program was meant to help America’s most vulnerable, but they are being pushed aside for able-bodied working age adults (including illegal immigrants). pic.twitter.com/lzPoFodZfa

— Economic Policy Innovation Center (@EPICforAmerica) June 29, 2025