Wyoming Senate introduces bill for Medicaid, SNAP work requirements
Senate File 97 would put certain requirements in place, with some exemptions, on those benefiting from Medicaid and the
The legislation's genesis goes back to guidance issued in January by the federal
The bill directs the
* Work 20 hours a week
* Attend school for 20 hours a week
* Participate in employment training program
* Perform 20 hours of community service a week
There are exemptions for those who are medically incapacitated or incapable of complying. It also does not apply to anyone under the age of 18, over 65 or pregnant. Parents or guardians with dependents under the age of 6 or with a disability or serious medical condition would also be exempt.
"Only able-bodied individuals would have to comply with the work requirement," said Sen.
The
Senate Minority Leader
During the day's afternoon session down the hall, the House killed a bill mirroring the
Reps.
Wilson said she would have supported such a measure if
"Seeing as our current plan only covers children, people over 65, pregnant ladies and people with disabilities, I don't quite understand who's left," Wilson said.
Current estimates show having the policy in place would see around 3,300 residents leave the state's Medicaid rolls either voluntarily or involuntarily, as some would end up receiving health insurance through employment or other means, Forslund said. Putting a hard dollar number to how much the state would save is not possible, he said.
For those on Medicaid now that would end up in the non-complying group and lose coverage, the cost of their health care would likely shift to the private sector by way of uncompensated care, Forslund said.
"It would be cost-shifted off of the state and onto private sector hospitals, primarily to emergency rooms," he said. "They are, by law, required to provide coverage or care to individuals who present themselves regardless of ability to pay. So if they don't have insurance and don't have access to health care, as a last resort, they go to the hospital emergency room."
The bill lacks specificity about what the department's cost would be administering the program, Forslund said. He said it would come at an additional cost to the state.
"We don't know exactly what all the administrative responsibilities are going to be in terms of you have to follow up to see whether a person is working 20 hours a week, going to school or volunteering," he said. "How does an agency track to see if that's occurring or not? We just don't know what the intent of the legislation would be, so we're not able to put a cost to it at this point. I can definitely say there would be administrative costs attached to it. (The department) can't absorb additional responsibilities without some kind of appropriation."
Senate File 97 was referred to the
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