South Carolina officials are still pursuing a limited expansion of Medicaid eligibility to parents who are working. The request comes amid new work-or-school requirements for Medicaid enrollees in most other states. (iStock / Getty Images Plus)
COLUMBIA — Thousands more people in South Carolina could get Medicaid coverage under a request from the state to expand the program to working low-income parents.
While Gov. Henry McMaster wrote officials in January about the state’s impending request, the state’s Medicaid agency didn’t actually submit it until late last month, after gathering public comments and holding hearings. The submission happened to come in the midst of congressional negotiations over the GOP-pushed federal law signed July 4, which requires adults in states that expanded Medicaid to prove they’re working, going to school or volunteering at least 80 hours each month…