PA Senate approves Medicaid work requirements as part of budget-related bill
If enacted, the changes in the bill could leave the state's Medicaid program looking similar to what former Gov. Tom Corbett had proposed - with a work requirement and less generous benefits.
Pennsylvania's state Senate has approved a budget-related bill that would require state officials to seek a work requirement for some Medicaid beneficiaries.
The measure was included in the Human Services Code, one of a number of budget-related code bills that must be passed to enact the state budget.
The bill would require the state to request a waiver from the federal government "for approval of design options or reforms that require reasonable employment and job search requirements nondisabled, nonpregnant, nonelderly Medicaid eligible adults as well as appropriate limits on nonessential benefits."
More than 2.8 million Pennsylvanians are enrolled in Medicaid, although many of those individuals are children, elderly or disabled, who presumably would not be subject to a work requirement. Medicaid is a major cost-driver in the state budget.
The bill passed the Republican-controlled state Senate Thursday morning 35-15 with no debate.
Healthcare advocates have said the work requirement and potential benefit cuts would be harmful to people.
"We're looking at limiting coverage and benefits that allow people to stay healthy and keep working," said Antoinette Kraus, director of the Pennsylvania Health Access Network.
If enacted, the changes in the bill could leave the state's Medicaid program looking similar to what former Gov. Tom Corbett had proposed— with a work requirement and less generous benefits.
The bill passed the House earlier this month but must return to the House for another vote because of changes in the Senate.
It's unclear if Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf would sign the bill. His office had previously said he "opposes these backdoor changes that could have widespread and potentially life-changing effects on the health and well-being of millions of Pennsylvanians." His office did not immediately respond to requests for comment Thursday morning.
Republican House leaders have defended the changes as necessary cost-saving reforms.
The federal government has not previously allowed any state to place a work condition on Medicaid eligibility, though some believe that could change under President Trump's administration.
Gov. Wolf allowed a nearly $32 billion spending plan to lapse into law without his signature for the fiscal year that began July 1, but a revenue package has not been passed yet.
Kate Giammarise: kgiammarise@post-gazette.com or 412-263-3909 or on Twitter @KateGiammarise.
