INDIANAPOLIS — As lawmakers continue to grapple with Indiana’s nearly $1 billion Medicaid shortfall, one partial fix could come in the form of Medicaid work requirements.
”We need some guardrails to keep costs in line,” said State Rep. Hal Slager (R-Schererville), who introduced a bill earlier this month to reinstate those requirements.
If that bill passes next session, Hoosiers ages 19-64 would need to follow more stringent Medicaid work requirements to remain eligible.
”We have a Medicaid population of over two million, which means about a third of all Hoosiers are taking advantage of Medicaid,” Slager said. ”I want to see people independent of the government, not dependent on the government.”
The bill stipulates that Hoosiers would need to work, volunteer or participate in a work program at least 20 hours a week. Hoosiers could choose to combine those options to get to the required 20 hours so long as the FSSA approves their preferred work program.
The bill makes exceptions for some Hoosiers including pregnant women, people who care for young children or disabled loved ones and people deemed medically unfit for employment. Hoosiers who take part in a substance use disorder recovery/rehabilitation program are also exempt from needing to fulfill the proposed requirements.