State expects green light to require some Medicaid recipients to work, but change may draw legal ...

State expects green light to require some Medicaid recipients to work, but change may draw legal challenge

WASHINGTON — Indiana expects to receive soon federal approval to phase in a new requirement that some Medicaid recipients work, Indiana Family and Social Services Administration Secretary Jennifer Walthall said Thursday after the Trump administration issued guidance for states on the new rules they will allow.

“Medicaid needs to be more flexible so that states can best address the needs of this population," said Seema Verma, the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services who previously helped create Indiana's Medicaid program. Verma said she issued the guidance in response to requests from states wanting to "improve their programs and to help people in achieving greater well-being and self-sufficiency."

Advocates for the poor, however, said Verma's decision will likely be taken to court. The liberal Families USA said Thursday it's working with the National Health Law Program and other groups on a challenge.

"Many lives are at stake if today’s CMS decision stands," said Eliot Fishman, senior director of health policy of Families USA. "We will be working to ensure that it does not.”

Read more: https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2018/01/11/state-expects-green-light-require-some-medicaid-recipients-work/1023775001/