More mostly Republican-led states are looking to follow Kentucky's lead in requiring many Medicaid recipients to either work or lose health coverage, Roll Call reported.
The governors of South Dakota, Alabama, Louisiana and South Carolina have all said they plan to pursue work requirements for their Medicaid programs, following the Trump administration's release of guidelines on Jan. 11.
South Carolina GOP Gov. Henry McMaster tweeted the same day:
According to Roll Call, at least four states that didn't expand Medicaid under Obamacare — including Mississippi and Kansas — have already submitted formal work requirement proposals to the Department of Health and Human Services — putting them among at least 10 states, including Indiana and Arkansas, to do so.
The administration has only approved Kentucky's proposal so far; Kentucky expanded Medicaid coverage under the health law.
Ahough proposals vary, most state work requirements would require adults who are working-age and able-bodied to participate in at least 80 hours a month of work, schooling, volunteering or another activity, Roll Call reported. Most also exempt pregnant women and people in substance abuse treatment, among others, the news outlet noted.
Advocates have already sued the Trump administration over the issue, The Hill reported, and more legal challenges are expected if federal officials approve similar requests in other states, Roll Call noted.
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