Rep. Grove Issues Statement on Medicaid Work Requirements

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, Jan. 11 -- The Pennsylvania House Republicans issued the following statement by Rep. Seth Grove, R-York, in response to the White House's announcement to allow states to impose work requirements in medicaid:

"I applaud President Donald Trump's decision to give states the freedom to enact work requirements for Medicaid recipients.

"This first-of-its-kind federal initiative is lockstep with my legislation, House Bill 1407, to rein in spending by implementing work requirements.

"My bill would necessitate all able-bodied state Medical Assistance recipients to be self-sufficient through employment. Work requirements for Medical Assistance, like other effective work requirements we have for entitlement programs, would increase income tax and sales tax revenue through economic growth and empowering Pennsylvanians.

"The legislation is currently in the House Health Committee awaiting action, and I hope the recent announcement by the White House will give the bill momentum to become law.

"Earlier this year, the General Assembly approved a similar work requirement bill. Sadly, Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed this commonsense reform when it reached his desk in October. Fortunately for Pennsylvanians, and all Americans, we have another attempt at encouraging those who can be employed to contribute to society and the economy on a whole through work."