LePage push for Medicaid work requirement gets boost from Trump administration
Opponents called it cruel and illegal.
President
After Trump's election, the state applied to the federal government to extend them and other provisions to the Medicaid program.
LePage defended his administration's proposal and said it's about helping people join the workforce and become financially independent.
"These work-oriented activities end isolation, build relationships, improve quality of life and help move our economy forward," said LePage in a written statement.
Sen.
Rep.
"This is a policy maneuver disguised as a waiver," she said.
Others balked at the idea and signaled that legal challenges could be afoot.
"The Trump administration's move to support work requirements is a purely political, cynical and inhumane attack on vulnerable people," Democratic
In
"This isn't about getting people back to work," Merrill said. "This is a political move to take away health care from people who need it."
Merrill said finding a job can be difficult or impossible for some Mainers because of problems with transportation, child care or other challenges, such as a lack of jobs in their area, but that none of those factors should be a decider when it comes to health care coverage.
"There are legitimate reasons people might find themselves without a job," she said. "There are parts of
Republican
Brakey said it's a challenge that can be overcome.
"There are opportunities out there and all you have to do is a little work to find them," he said.
Hymanson said it's not that easy, nor are co-payments for people who are already facing financial challenges.
"People who are poor can't afford to do that," Hymanson said. "Besides that, they have already paid taxes into the system. ... This will just mean they don't access care."
The federal shift on Medicaid work requirements could have ramifications for
Congressional efforts to repeal the ACA and the Trump administration's general stance in favor of cutting welfare programs are already potent arguments against
It's possible that implementing work requirements in tandem with offering benefits to new people could make expansion more palatable to lawmakers who wouldn't consider it before. But it could also drive away
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