Search
-
February 17, 2020On February 11, the House Appropriations Committee passed a bill (20-8) that ties a work requirement to the ability to receive Medicaid benefits.
Work is a good that enhances our personal dignity and allows us to flourish as a society. However, in testimony during the committee hearing and in a letter to the bill sponsor, the FCCB stated its deep concern for the negative impacts of HB 1367 (Tomkow) to both the health of vulnerable individuals and the health care system. A work requirement creates significant consequences for the poor, including the loss of comprehensive care resulting in decreased overall health, and ultimately drives up medical costs when individuals seek care in emergency rooms.
Numerous other states have had similar work requirements set aside by the courts or delayed its implementation because of litigation. Alternatives to work requirements such as the creation of work training programs with local colleges for Medicaid recipients, are helpful, rather than punitive, and better promote and protect the inherent dignity of every individual.
HB 1367 has one additional committee of reference, Health & Human Services. The companion bill in the Senate, SB 1808 (Baxley), has yet to be heard by any of its three committees of reference.
