Policy Matters Opposes Medicaid Work Requirements
Today Policy Matters Ohio joined activists, advocates and health care providers to oppose a new and dangerous barrier to health care in the state.
With encouragement from the
Sixty-one percent of Medicaid patients already work, she said. The rest are either students, people with disabilities, early retirees, job seekers or people caring for a loved one with a disability. Many work in low-paying industries like retail or fast food, which offer low and inconsistent hours and little or no paid leave. Patients could easily fall short of the 80-hour-a-month work requirement.
"Tragically, those who lose hours because they are sick or caring for a sick child could lose health coverage," Patton said. "Those in temporary, intermittent or seasonal jobs are at particular risk for losing eligibility."
While the proposal allows for exemptions, it's up to enrollees to prove they qualify. For people who can't afford a car or computer, keeping up with the paperwork can be a time and money drain, Patton said.
Patton said the waiver proposal's "community engagement activities" could constitute employment under the Fair Labor Standards Act. This would require that participants get paid the federal minimum hourly wage. But unlike other programs with work requirements, Medicaid has no mechanism to ensure people are compensated. It could also violate the 13thAmendment of the
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