From the continued slow start of Georgia's program to the Kansas governor's "middle of the road" proposal, here are four state Medicaid work requirement updates Becker's has reported on since Dec. 19:
1. Incoming Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry is considering work requirements and copayments for enrollees in the state's Medicaid program, the Louisiana Illuminator reported Dec. 20.
The state previously explored implementing work requirements in 2018, but the proposal was ditched when it appeared such requirements might cost the state more money than it saved, according to the report.
2. Georgia's Medicaid work requirement program continues its slow start, Politico reported Dec. 26.
Gov. Brian Kemp expected 31,000 Georgians to sign up in the first year of the Pathways to Coverage program, but to date, 1,800 have enrolled, according to the report. Critics of the program blamed low enrollment numbers on an overly complex program with too many hurdles for prospective enrollees to clear.
The program launched July 1 and partially expands Medicaid coverage, but enrollees earning less than $14,580 annually — with some exceptions — must complete 80 hours of work, job training, education or community service per month to receive coverage.
3. Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly has tried unsuccessfully for years to expand Medicaid in the state and now has introduced a new "middle of the road" plan that includes work requirements.
Under Ms. Kelly's plan, residents would have to prove they are employed in order to sign up for services and renew them each year. The state's health secretary would develop exceptions to allow enrollments for full-time students, caretakers, veterans and those with medical conditions.
Her proposal, which will be introduced in the forthcoming legislative session, would allow those who earn between 100% and 138% of the federal poverty level to remain on private insurance and receive assistance from the state, or move to Medicaid.
4. A pair of South Dakota lawmakers are seeking to put a ballot issue in front of voters in 2024 on whether the state should consider work requirements for those enrolled in the expanded Medicaid program.
A similar effort was introduced in early 2023 by Rep. Tony Venhuizen, but it failed in a state Senate committee because the language was too broad. The new resolution focuses on placing work requirements on the portion of the Medicaid expansion population who are not mentally or physically disabled. The state would not be able to impose the work requirements unless given the OK by the federal government.
Advocates opposed to imposing work requirements argued that such requirements haven't been successfully implemented and could negatively affect small businesses.