Mississippi Would Be First Non-Expansion State To Add Medicaid Work Requirements If Waiver Is Approved
Advocates watching the changes the state has made to its request -- such as adding a transition period to deal with the fact that the state's income maximums are so low any work will likely kick beneficiaries off the program -- are worried tens of thousands of people will lose coverage if the government approves the new requirements.
The Hill:
Mississippi To Test Limits Of Medicaid Work Requirements
The Trump administration is facing a key test with Mississippi’s Medicaid program as the state seeks permission to be the first ever to impose work requirements without expanding Medicaid under ObamaCare. Already one of the poorest states in the nation, advocates say work requirements for “able-bodied” beneficiaries could decimate the health coverage that tens of thousands of residents depend on. (Weixel, 8/23)
In other news on Medicaid —
Modern Healthcare:
CMS Vows To Curb Costs Of State Medicaid Demonstrations
The CMS is tightening its financial oversight of state Medicaid waiver demonstrations, the agency announced Wednesday in formal guidance emphasizing that the changes must be budget-neutral. Federal law requires Medicaid demonstrations to be budget-neutral, and the CMS can't disburse additional funds for the proposals. The CMS said in its guidance that it will run tighter analysis on demonstration costs to make sure states are meeting budget-neutrality. (Luthi, 8/22)