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Companies, advocates and legal groups clash as committee hears proposal to add work requirements to Medicaid expansion
Summary
Senate Bill 134 would direct DHHS to pursue a waiver requiring community engagement for certain able‑bodied adults on the Medicaid expansion program. Proponents argued work promotes independence; opponents said prior experiences (Arkansas) show coverage losses and high administrative costs.
A contentious hearing on a proposal to require work or community engagement for certain non‑elderly, non‑disabled adults receiving Medicaid expansion drew a large turnout and sharply divergent testimony.
Sponsor Senator Howard Pearl told the Senate Health & Human Services Committee that the bill aims to help adults move off public benefits into paid work, citing research about lifetime earnings associated with employment. He offered a committee amendment requiring any waiver be submitted to the legislative fiscal committee for review before federal submission.
John Stephen, a former DHHS commissioner, testified in favor and…
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