BREAKING
Northam hits 'pause' on Virginia's Medicaid work requirement
By Michael Martz | Richmond Times-Dispatch 11 min ago

Gov. Ralph Northam has directed Virginia's Medicaid program to "pause" negotiations with the federal government on approval of a work requirement that was central to a political deal last year that allowed the state to expand eligibility for the program's health care benefits to hundreds of thousands of uninsured Virginians.

Northam cited the Democratic takeover of both chambers of the General Assembly in legislative elections last month and potential litigation that has faced other states that have tried to link Medicaid health benefits to requirements that program participants seek work, training, education or other forms of civic engagement.

"Virginians made clear they want more access to health care, not less," he said in a statement on Wednesday. "Given the changed make-up of the General Assembly and based on conversations with new leadership, it is unlikely Virginia will move forward with funding a program that could cause tens of thousands of Virginians to lose health care coverage."

His statement accompanied a letter sent by Virginia Medicaid Director Karen Kimsey to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on Tuesday that formally asks for a delay ongoing negotiations between the state and federal government over a proposed waiver that would have included a work requirement and help for participants to comply.
....

mmartz@timesdispatch.com

(804) 649-6964