Proposed federal Medicaid changes, including potential work requirements for some recipients, are raising concerns nationally, though health policy experts suggest South Carolinians are unlikely to see immediate effects.
A bill approved by the U.S. House of Representatives contains a provision that would mandate certain Medicaid recipients to meet work requirements to retain their coverage. However, the populations most affected by such a change typically reside in states that have opted to expand their Medicaid programs under the Affordable Care Act. South Carolina is one of ten states that has not expanded its Medicaid program.
A university health policy expert indicated that because South Carolina has not expanded Medicaid, the proposed federal changes do not directly impact the state at this time. The expert advised continued monitoring of the situation…