House Republicans have included Medicaid work requirement proposals in their bill to raise the debt ceiling into next year, The Washington Post reported April 20.
Under the proposal, Medicaid beneficiaries must work, volunteer or be part of a work program for 80 hours per month — or participate in some combination of those activities — according to the report. Those rules would affect beneficiaries ages 19 to 56. It includes exceptions for pregnant women, parents and caregivers, as well as those who are physically or mentally unable to work, as determined by a physician.
The proposal allows states to keep those who do not comply with work requirements enrolled in the program, but those states would take on the full cost of coverage for those enrollees, according to the report.
It also requires states to make use — when possible — of existing resources, such as payroll databases and health and human services agencies, to verify compliance.
The proposal is not expected to pass the Democratic-controlled Senate, according to the report.