Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes work requirements for Medicaid recipients.

Highlights:

• Requires the Department of Human Services to submit a waiver request to receive federal approval from the Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for Iowa’s Medicaid eligibility plan by March 1, 2020 (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the waiver request shall require that the one following conditions must be met in order to receive Medicaid eligibility (Sec. 1):

• Work 20 hours or more per week, averaged over a six-month period;

• Participate in and comply with the requirements of a work program for 20 hours or more per week, averaged on a monthly basis;

• Volunteer for 20 hours or more per week, averaged on a monthly basis;

• Meet a combination of work and work program participation requirements for a total of 20 hours or more per week;

• Participate in and comply with the “Promise Jobs” program;

• Be enrolled in the Future Ready Iowa program; or

• Participate in other approved activities, as determined by the Department and CMS.

• Specifies that the following individuals shall be exempt from these requirements (Sec. 1):

• Individuals who are medically certified as physically or mentally unable to fulfill the requirements of a job or volunteer program;

• Pregnant individuals;

• Parents or caretakers who are responsible for the care of a dependent under the age of six;

• Parents or caretakers who personally provide the care for a dependent child with a serious medical condition or disability;

• Individuals who receive unemployment compensation and comply with work requirements of the federal or state unemployment system;

• Individuals participating in a drug or alcohol treatment and rehabilitation program;

• Individuals enrolled in full-time educational programs;

• Individuals who are the caretaker for an elderly person or adult with a chronic, disabling, or serious health condition.

• Requires the Department to state that if an individual does not comply with these requirements in the first six months, the individual will be terminated from Medicaid benefits for the remainder of their benefit year, in the waiver request to CMS (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text