On Thursday, the Senate voted on nearly partisan lines to create a work requirement for Michigan residents receiving Medicaid, under certain circumstances. The legislation would require adults between the ages of 19 – 64 who are receiving Medicaid health benefits to work, receive job training, or go to school (or a combination of any of the three) for an average of 29 hours per week. The State of Michigan will need to obtain a waiver from the Federal Government to enact these requirements on the program.

The bill provides a list of those who would be exempt from the requirement, including:

• Seniors
• Pregnant women
• A caretaker of a child under the age of six
• People with disabilities or their caregivers
• The medically frail
• Residents under the age of 21 who were in foster care
• Caretakers of incapacitated people
• Individuals seeking substance use disorder treatment
• Those receiving unemployment benefits
• Ex-prisoners released in the last six months
• People with medical conditions that impact their ability to work
• Full-time students who are emancipated or whose parents qualify for Medicaid

The legislation also allows for temporary “good cause” exemptions for the birth or death of a family member, severe inclement weather, a temporary illness or injury, and a family emergency or other life-changing event. Additionally, if a county’s unemployment rate increases to 8.5%, its residents could meet the requirement by looking for a job. The requirement would return once the unemployment rate drops back to 5% or less. The bill has been sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.

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