Delays the enactment of work requirements until the CBO certifies that it will not reduce the number of individuals with disabilities who are eligible for Medicaid.
Delay the enactment of Medicaid work requirements until the CBO certifies they will not reduce the number of people with disabilities eligible for Medicaid.
Occurrences
Evidence
Pettersen's official biography says she was elected in 2022 to represent Colorado's Seventh Congressional District in the U.S. House.
Public Law 119-21 became law on July 4, 2025. Section 71119 requires states to establish Medicaid community engagement requirements beginning no later than the first quarter after December 31, 2026, with no CBO certification precondition.
Section 71119 defines applicable individuals, exceptions, noncompliance procedures, and disenrollment or denial of Medicaid assistance when an individual does not satisfy the community engagement requirement.
CBO estimated H.R. 1's Medicaid provisions would increase the uninsured by 7.8 million in 2034; the community engagement provision would reduce federal Medicaid coverage by about 5.2 million adults and add 4.8 million uninsured.
The House passed the motion to concur in the Senate amendment to H.R. 1 by 218-214 on July 3, 2025; Pettersen, Democrat of Colorado, voted No.
The House initially passed H.R. 1 by 215-214, with one present; Pettersen voted Nay.
Pettersen's official site says she voted against the Big Ugly Bill and characterizes it as the largest Medicaid cut in history that removes health care from families.
Assessments
The promised outcome was not delivered: Public Law 119-21 enacted Medicaid community engagement/work requirements without any CBO certification precondition, and CBO projected coverage losses rather than certifying no eligibility reduction. Pettersen opposed H.R. 1 on both cited House votes and publicly framed that opposition as protecting Medicaid access, which supports an effort badge, but the delay condition itself did not become law.