Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) officials this week described Georgia’s Medicaid work requirements as “harmful” and announced that Peach State officials may no longer impose them as a condition of Medicaid eligibility.
CMS officials also announced that Georgia officials no longer have the authority to charge premiums beyond those allowed under the Medicaid statute in its Georgia “Pathways to Coverage” demonstration.
CMS officials said in a press release late last week that this policy falls in line with “the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to reduce health disparities while ensuring access to comprehensive, affordable, person-centered care.”
“In light of the ongoing disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Georgia’s work requirements significantly compromise the state demonstration’s effectiveness in promoting coverage for intended beneficiaries,” CMS officials said.
“The lingering health consequences of COVID-19 infections further exacerbate the harms of these barriers to coverage for people with low income. Additionally, premiums can present a particular barrier to coverage. They can result in limited access to health care coverage for underserved communities, especially black and low-income individuals compared to white and higher income peers.”
In 2020, under former President Donald Trump, the CMS approved Georgia’s “Pathways to Coverage.” CMS officials said at the time that this plan gave working-age Georgia adults who are ineligible for Medicaid the chance to opt into Medicaid coverage by participating in qualifying activities like work and education. They would also have to meet premium and income requirements.
“Pathways to Coverage” required that people participate in 80 hours a month of work or other qualifying activities, according to a CMS press release from last year.
Staff for Georgia Governor Brian Kemp told the Atlanta-based WABE that they plan to take the CMS to court.
“Georgia proposed and received approval to implement an innovative waiver that would expand coverage and access in a fiscally conservative way,” Kemp spokeswoman Katie Byrd reportedly said.
“We are disappointed the Biden Administration chose to turn its back on a bipartisan group in the Georgia General Assembly that came together to help create a fair and balanced healthcare framework that increases options and lowers costs.”
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Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected].
