Mississippi Medicaid looking at work requirement
Medicaid officials have scheduled two public hearings later this month in
The meetings are:
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People wanting to learn more about submitting written comments can check www.medicaid.ms.gov.
There have been past discussions of imposing a work requirement for certain groups of people to be eligible for Medicaid.
Those who would fall under work or work force training requirements, if federal officials grant Mississippi's proposed waiver request, would be low income parents/caretakers, according to the
The information collected showed that there were 711,197 Medicaid recipients in the state, with a majority of those -- 56 percent -- being children. In addition, 23 percent of the recipients were disabled, while 9 percent were elderly and the rest were either pregnant women or the low income parents of children or family caretakers of someone on Medicaid.
Under the state proposal, people could meet the requirement through working 20 hours, participating in
Similar requirements are placed on those receiving Food Stamps or Temporary Aid for Needy Families benefits.
People who are taking care of someone who cannot be left alone or people with mental illnesses would be exempt from the requirements.
Medicaid is a joint federal government/state program. Mississippi's match rate is the most favorable in the nation with the federal government paying nearly 75 percent of the cost.
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Gov.
"DOM is seeking this waiver to assist individuals with building a foundation for success -- both in their personal life and their health. Our goal is to begin building a future of healthy citizens in the state," Medicaid officials said in their proposal to the federal government.
The nonprofit Mississippi Health Advocacy Program said such work requirements have proven counter-productive in other states.
In an email, the Health Advocacy Program said, "Most adult Medicaid enrollees who can work already do. In addition, studies on other benefit programs that have work requirements have shown little or no impact on long-term employment.
"Medicaid work requirements will drive up the rate of uninsured Mississippians, which will ultimately result in increased health care costs for everyone."
Twitter: @bobbyharrison9
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