The federal government has approved an amended Medicaid plan in Michigan that puts in place new work requirements for coverage.
In a tweet on Friday afternoon, Seema Verma, administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it had approved the amendment to the “Healthy Michigan” plan that expanded healthcare coverage under Obamacare. In June, Gov. Rick Snyder signed a law requiring recipients to work 80 hours per month, but needed to secure a federal waiver.
Today, @CMSGov approved @MichiganHHS’s request to extend and amend the #Medicaid “Healthy Michigan Plan (HMP)” to add community engagement and new healthy behavior incentives. https://t.co/Mz4c6yXmmy
— Administrator Seema Verma (@SeemaCMS) December 21, 2018
Today, the outgoing Republican governor praised the federal government’s action.
“The Healthy Michigan Plan has been a success story that can be a model for the entire country on how to assist people in leading healthier lives,” Snyder said in a statement. “I am pleased that we will be able to continue this initiative that improves health outcomes for Michiganders and removes barriers to employment and self-sufficiency.”
About 663,000 Michigan citizens receive healthcare coverage through the Healthy Michigan plan, which launched in 2014.
The Detroit Free Press notes that six other states have work requirements and several more have pending applications and that the work requirement is for “able-bodied adults” between the ages of 19 and 62.
The federal government’s action on Friday didn’t sit well with the non-partisan Michigan League for Public Policy. The Lansing-based organization said in a statement that it presents “dangerous risks for Michigan” and MLPP President and CEO Gilda Jacobs says it will impose premium hikes for many low-income people in Michigan.
“The League has been a vocal opponent of initiatives that take health coverage away from our fellow Michiganders since state lawmakers introduced them earlier this year,” Jacobs said in a statement. “Policies like this are inherently flawed and unfairly politicize the plight of people with low incomes in our state.”
Jacobs also pointed out that the state needs to focus on implementing the new policy in a way that “minimizes harm,” like making sure that people who must access the reporting system have internet access.
“And above all, let’s focus on the barriers that keep people from working in the first place,” Jacobs said. “Transportation. Training. Child care. People will fall through the cracks if these issues aren’t addressed.”
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