Treatment
Treatment GuideJust DiagnosedSex & DatingAfrican AmericanStigmaAsk the HIV DocPrEP En EspañolNewsVoicesPrint IssueVideoOut 100
CONTACTCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
A number of states have tied Medicaid coverage to work requirements. But legal challenges have followed — a sucessful attempt to stop the program in Kentucky, an ongoing lawsuit in Arkansas and possibly more to come.
The first substantive arguments were filed last week in a lawsuit against Arkansas' Medicaid waiver program. The state has removed thousands of people from its Medicaid program since June, when it began requiring some participants to work 80 hours a month.
Leonardo Cuello is with the National Health Law Program, one of the groups challenging that policy. Federal law allows states to experiment with their Medicaid programs to improve health care, but Cuello said changes like work requirements create more problems.
“They don’t actually furnish care for anyone, they actually do the exact opposite," Cuello said. "They take care away from people.”
A federal judge agreed when he put Kentucky’s Medicaid waiver program on hold in June just days before it was scheduled to go into effect, the result of a lawsuit that Cuello's organization was involved in. Kentucky's program is still under review.
Indiana, Wisconsin and New Hampshire have also been given government approval to implement work requirements. Cuello said his organization is watching closely.
“We are, as always when seeing things that are legally troubling, considering the possibility of taking legal action,” Cuello said. “It’s impossible to predict whether a lawsuit will be filed by us or by anybody else, but given the legally problematic things they are doing and the great potential harm to people in the state, it seems very possible that litigation could happen.”
Indiana plans to gradually roll out its work requirement next year for some enrolled in the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP), the state's expanded Medicaid program.
A government spokesman said Indiana is confident its program is structured to avoid a legal challenge.
"We recognize that communication is key and will continue to focus on member education throughout the phase in of the program starting in 2019," spokesman Jim Gavin wrote in an email. "We are also actively seeking partners across the state to help connect HIP members to opportunities to work, further their education or serve their communities."
This story was produced by Side Effects Public Media, a news collaborative covering public health.
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Diets that mimic fasting reverse aging: study
March 07 2024 5:28 PM
The Most Amazing HIV Allies & Advocates of 2023
November 03 2023 12:51 PM
PrEP without a prescription now a reality in California
February 06 2024 8:37 PM
This OnlyFans Star Is Trying to Raise $100K to Fight HIV
December 26 2023 3:05 PM
The naked Black body takes center stage in this HIV campaign
January 03 2024 1:07 PM
Mr. Gay World wants to make sure you're OK
January 02 2024 4:56 PM
8 dating tips for gay men from a gay psychotherapist
March 21 2024 2:50 PM
The First Person Cured of AIDS Gets His Due
December 19 2023 1:12 AM
HIV Advocate, Journalist Josh Kruger Murdered in His Home
October 06 2023 3:19 PM
Plus: Featured Video
Latest Stories
Breaking boundaries in gender-free fashion with Stuzo Clothing
March 27 2024 2:15 PM
Injectable HIV treatment, prevention: Everything you need to know
March 26 2024 3:28 PM
Find your perfect fit with gender-inclusive fashion from The Pride Store
March 26 2024 2:16 PM
Sexual assault survivor Stephen Hart uses theater to heal
March 25 2024 5:52 PM
Prohibition Wellness & revolutionizing self-care for all
March 22 2024 1:19 PM
Unleash your fiery spirit with The Pride Store’s Aries gift guide
March 21 2024 2:08 PM
Crafting diversity and inclusivity in beauty with Fashion Foundry
March 20 2024 5:27 PM
Vibrant locks rain or shine with The Pride Store's top haircare essentials
March 19 2024 2:13 PM
At risk for syphilis or chlamydia? There’s a PEP for that
March 19 2024 12:04 PM
'Drag Race' star Q shares she's living with HIV
March 18 2024 3:08 PM
Empowering women with Nashelle Jewelry this Women's History Month
March 13 2024 3:05 PM
Scarlet fever: exploring our fascination with blood
March 13 2024 1:47 PM
Bloom in your skin with The Pride Store’s skincare essentials
March 12 2024 4:31 PM
Nex Benedict’s tragic death further proves that Oklahoma is not OK
March 12 2024 2:57 PM
Mr. Gay World's Plus cover story: behind the scenes
March 08 2024 4:47 PM
HIV+ man banned from jail work program gets last laugh
March 07 2024 4:14 PM
The Werkroom's artistic rebellion transforms pop culture icons into queer fantasies
March 07 2024 2:23 PM
Get your spring bling on with The Pride Store’s jewelry picks
March 05 2024 4:43 PM
Is this the future of PrEP?
March 01 2024 5:54 PM