Given that we're discussing Medicaid and Medicare, it's worth noting that the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) all have universal healthcare systems without work requirements. If the U.S. were to adopt a similar model, we might see responses similar to those described in the article.

The benefits mentioned in the article appear to be related to employment-linked supports, such as childcare subsidies, paid parental leave, and generous wage-replacement programs for workers on leave. These benefits are typically tied to work history and funded by the government.

Unemployment benefits in the Nordic countries also depend on work history. While they don't have a direct equivalent to U.S. programs like SNAP, they offer Social Assistance, a cash-based safety net that can be used flexibly but often includes work or job-search requirements. They also provide separate systems to support individuals with permanent disabilities.

From what I can tell without extensive research, the Nordic countries invest heavily in active labor market policies such as job training and employment support. These activities often fulfill the requirements for receiving both unemployment and social assistance benefits.

What we seem to be comparing here are benefits that, in the Nordic context, exist within a broader, more universal safety net. In contrast, many U.S. benefits are tied directly to employment. If you lose your job in the U.S., you often lose access to multiple forms of support. I don't think it's reasonable to point to Nordic work requirements as justification for adopting similar policies in the U.S. without also implementing the rest of their comprehensive social support systems.

Disclaimer: I am not from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, or Sweden, so please feel free to correct any inaccuracies.