Health Payer Intelligence
By: Thomas Beaton
Alabama’s proposed Medicaid work requirements are likely to lead to health equity challenges by inadvertently creating eligibility barriers for vulnerable populations, according to research from the Georgetown Health Policy Institute. Alabama included the work requirements in a 1115 Medicaid demonstration proposal that aims to improve physical and mental health outcomes for low-income members. However, the Georgetown researchers argue that beneficiary work requirements of 20 to 35 hours a week would cause around 8700 members to become ineligible for the program within one year. Implementing the work requirements is likely to disrupt access to health insurance because of the state’s strict income requirements and Medicaid beneficiary demographics, the team suggests.
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