Ohio Senate Committee backs resolution urging federal approval of Medicaid work requirements

The Ohio Senate Medicaid Committee on a voice/roll call vote this morning favorably reported Senate Concurrent Resolution 5 to the Senate Rules and Reference Committee, urging the president and federal regulators to approve Ohio’s request to impose work and related eligibility criteria for certain adult Medicaid expansion enrollees (the so‑called Group 8 population).

The resolution asks federal officials to approve a Section 1115 waiver that would require adult expansion enrollees to meet one of several criteria—be employed, be at least 55 years old, be enrolled in school or occupational training, be participating in substance‑use treatment, or have intensive physical health care needs or serious mental illness—before continuing Medicaid coverage. "An individual must satisfy at least one of the following criteria," Ohio Department of Medicaid Director Maureen Corcoran told the committee, and the department has submitted the waiver application to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Why it matters: committee members and witnesses said the proposal aims to encourage employment and reduce long‑term program dependence, but witnesses…