Georgia has approved 265 people to take part in the nation's only Medicaid program that requires proof of work to receive benefits, the Georgia Recorder reported Aug. 10.
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.
It is unclear how many Georgia residents will eventually be covered by the program, according to Politico. Gov. Brian Kemp said in January that 345,000 could enroll, but the coverage for the first year does not cover that number. The state's health department estimated that 100,000 would sign up in the first year.
The Georgia program is being watched nationally as other states eye Medicaid work requirements. Nationally, House Republicans included Medicaid work requirements in a bill to raise the debt ceiling, but those requirements did not make the final deal.