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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 7, 2018
Governor Mary Fallin Signs Bill Setting Work Requirements for Medicaid Recipients
OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin today signed
legislation that directs the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to apply to the Centers
for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for a waiver that institutes work
requirements for Medicaid.
House Bill (HB) 2932 by Representative Glen Mulready
and Senator Adam Pugh is a measure requested by the governor. It is part of a
suite of bills related to employment, training, and education client engagement
for recipients of public assistance programs.
HB 2932 aligns Medicaid work and job training
requirements with that of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP),
which involves working, participation in a work program, or a combination of
both 20 hours a week. The new
eligibility criteria will affect up to approximately 8,000 able-bodied adults
without dependents between the ages of 18 and 50. The state has the ability to
negotiate any further exemptions necessary in the waiver writing process.
“It is imperative to provide expectations for all of
our citizens who are able to work,” said Fallin. “Medicaid recipients who are
able-bodied will be able to take advantage of job-training programs and work
opportunities that lead to a stable job, self-sufficiency, and success. Medicaid
is meant to be a safety net for the most vulnerable among us: the medically
frail, pregnant women, new mothers, and children. Those individuals will
continue to be exempt from work requirements.”
CMS has approved similar waivers from Kentucky,
Indiana, New Hampshire and Arkansas. Maine, Kansas, Mississippi, and others
have submitted waivers, and await approval from CMS.
HB 2932 takes
effect Nov. 1.
Fallin last month
signed HB 2825, which links Temporary
Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients with career and technology
education and training programs.
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