Trump administration approves Medicaid work requirements in Michigan, Maine

The Trump administration on Friday approved work requirements for Medicaid programs in Maine and Michigan. 

That means the administration has now approved work requirements for seven states, including Indiana, Arkansas and Wisconsin. 

“Maine marks the seventh community engagement demonstration we have approved since announcing this important opportunity earlier this year,” said Seema Verma, the Medicaid administrator, in a statement. 

“We look forward to continuing this work in the new year.” 

{mosads}In Michigan, the work requirements are slated to take effect in 2020. They will require adults between the ages of 19 and 62 to work at least 80 hours a month or complete training activities to keep their Medicaid coverage. 

Michigan’s Republican legislature asked the Trump administration to approve the work requirements in legislation passed earlier this year.

Education, job searching, community service, and participation in substance-use disorder treatment would also count toward the requirements. 

The requirements only apply to those who gained coverage through ObamaCare’s Medicaid expansion, which expanded eligibility to more low-income adults. 

There are exceptions for those who would have trouble working, including pregnant women and caretakers of children under the age of six. 

In Maine, where Medicaid expansion has not yet been implemented, the work requirements would apply to the traditional Medicaid population — individuals who make less than $12,000 a year. 

Under Maine’s program, adults between the ages of 19 and 64 must work 20 hours a week to retain their Medicaid coverage. 

There are exceptions for pregnant women and those who are physically or mentally unable to work 20 hours a week.