America’s Frontline Physicians: Statement on Medicaid Work Requirements
On behalf of the more than 560,000 physicians and medical students represented by the combined memberships of our organizations, we strongly urge the
Our organizations issued joint principles on this issue, which we shared with Acting HHS Secretary Hargan and CMS Administrator Verma on
Limiting Barriers to Eligibility and Coverage: CMS should ensure that waivers and other proposed changes to Medicaid do not impose punitive requirements that individuals be employed, be actively seeking a job, or be enrolled in a job training or job recruitment program and/or impose mandatory drug testing as a condition of eligibility.
* Imposing work requirements, lock-outs, premiums, and other out-of-pocket costs will limit access to preventive and primary care services and inhibit Medicaid beneficiaries from seeking care that helps them avoid costlier health conditions and maintain wellness. While we support voluntary programs to assist Medicaid enrollees in obtaining a job or gaining job skills, as well as voluntary access to treatment for substance use disorders, we are concerned that making participation in such programs a mandatory condition of eligibility would create unacceptable barriers to care, especially for the most vulnerable persons.
The Medicaid program was created to ensure access to needed care. CMS' effort encourages rules designed to prevent low-income individuals from getting the care they need and is contrary to the program's mission. The loss of health care coverage under this policy will only increase health care system costs and contribute to poor health, including premature mortality and increased morbidity.1
We strongly urge CMS to pursue policies that put patients first. We welcome the opportunity to work with the agency to develop policies that will help ensure the health of our nation.
About the
Founded in 1947, the AAFP represents 129,000 physicians and medical students nationwide. It is the only medical society devoted solely to primary care.
Family physicians conduct approximately one in five office visits -- that's 192 million visits annually or 48 percent more than the next most visited medical specialty. Today, family physicians provide more care for America's underserved and rural populations than any other medical specialty. Family medicine's cornerstone is an ongoing, personal patient-physician relationship focused on integrated care.
To learn more about the specialty of family medicine, the AAFP's positions on issues and clinical care, and for downloadable multi-media highlighting family medicine, visit www.aafp.org/media. For information about health care, health conditions and wellness, please visit the AAFP's award-winning consumer website, www.familydoctor.org.
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Footnotes:
1. Woolhandler S, Himmelstein DU. The Relationship of
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