What Medicaid work requirements could mean for Pennsylvania
The move is unlikely to affect
What is the Trump administration allowing states to do?
In a letter to state Medicaid directors, the
It describes "community engagement" as activities such as skills training, education, searching for a job or caregiving.
Ten states already had sought federal permission to impose work requirements before Thursday's announcement, according to
Why is the Trump administration talking about a work requirement?
Federal Medicaid officials compared a work requirement to similar conditions in other programs like food stamps, now known as the
They also argued in the letter to states that work and community engagement may improve health outcomes. Opponents have said such requirements create hurdles and red tape for those seeking health care.
Who would be affected?
Almost two-thirds of Medicaid recipients nationally are children, elderly or disabled, and will be exempt from the new requirements. In
There were nearly 2.9 million Pennsylvanians enrolled in Medicaid in November, with 144,971 of those in the
Wolf's administration has highlighted how Medicaid has helped those suffering from opioid addiction or other substance abuse disorders to obtain treatment and medication. The federal memo instructed states to craft "reasonable modifications" allowing Medicaid enrollees who need addiction treatment to continue accessing services.
That could include counting time spent in medical treatment toward the work requirement, or exempting them from it entirely.
Has
Wolf vetoed a budget-related bill last year that would have required the administration to include a work-search requirement in the Medicaid program. He reiterated his opposition Thursday, saying it would impose "arbitrary limits around employment on an already extremely vulnerable population."
Republican legislators and other supporters argued the change would have saved money in an expensive program.
A work requirement also was part of a proposal from former Republican Gov.
How much does
Medicaid is one of the largest expenses from the state's General Fund, with
While children and nondisabled adults make up most of the enrollees, most of the program's spending is on the elderly and people with disabilities.
What do the
Wolf is running for re-election this year, meaning that state voters will determine who will be in the governor's office if the Legislature approves another Medicaid work requirement bill next year.
Trump's popularity is already an issue in the race, and now his Medicaid work-rule decision could become a campaign issue as
Republican candidate
So does candidate
202-780-9540
___
(c)2018 The Morning Call (Allentown, Pa.)
Visit The Morning Call (Allentown, Pa.) at www.mcall.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
White Mountains Insurance Group Ltd Files SEC Form 4, Statement of Changes in Beneficial Ownership of Securities: (Dec. 28, 2017)
Brighthouse Financial, Inc. Files SEC Form 8-K, Current Report: (Dec. 28, 2017)
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News