India, July 30 -- A federal judge has allowed the Trump administration's stricter Medicaid work requirements to move forward, rejecting a request from Democratic-led states to temporarily block the policy before it takes effect.

The ruling means states will continue preparing for a Jan 1 implementation deadline, when certain Medicaid expansion beneficiaries may need to meet new "community engagement" requirements, including working, volunteering or attending school for at least 80 hours a month, to keep their coverage.

The lawsuit, filed by Democratic state officials, challenges a rule issued under the Trump administration that requires some Medicaid recipients who claim they are "medically frail" to provide proof that they are unable t...