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State lawmakers push Medicaid work requirements through Senate

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The state Legislature moved forward Thursday on a plan to drastically change Michigan’s Medicaid policy.

 

If a person is considered able-bodied and doesn’t fit an exception, they would be required to work or go to school for 29 hours a week.

Advocates say the bill encourages and helps people find work.

Democrats were opposed to the legislation, and before voting, some Democratic Senators offered amendments. Senator Curtis Hertel said lawmakers should also be required to work 29 hours a week to get healthcare.

“If it’s good for the goose, it’s good for the gander. Why tell working poor people that they have to live in a different standard than we in the lavish building do?”

Republican Senator Mike Shirkey is a bill sponsor. He says there will likely be some changes before the bill gets to the governor.

“The 29-hours one is one that the governor’s got a heavy little heartburn over. And so as soon as we have some full engagement and real negotiation, that’ll be probably one of the first ones we talk about.”

“Safety nets by definition have holes in them. And if we try to accommodate every single unique exempt then we basically can do nothing.

Supporters say most people on Medicaid already work, and this would incentivize the rest to do so.