Ohio to push for reinstatement of Medicaid work requirement

Ohio will appeal a move by the Biden administration to rescind federal approval of a work requirement that the state wants to use to determine Medicaid eligibility, Gov. Mike DeWine announced Thursday (Source: “Ohio seeks to reinstate Medicaid work requirement in appeal to Biden administration move,” Columbus Dispatch, Sept. 9).

Attorney General Dave Yost filed a notice of appeal with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services weeks after the agency withdrew its approval for the "community engagement" requirement. The measure would require all new adult group beneficiaries under 50 years old to complete 80 hours per month of employment, education or job skills training.   

Federal officials approved Ohio's requirement under former President Trump in 2019, but the COVID-19 pandemic prevented it from going into effect this year. DeWine and other Republicans say it's necessary to encourage self-sufficiency and relieve the burden on taxpayers.