Columbus, OH – Ohio plans to request the Trump administration to implement a work requirement for Medicaid.
Ohio is set to make another attempt at mandating work requirements for those receiving Medicaid expansion benefits.
The state has incorporated provisions in its budget, which was approved in July 2023, indicating plans to request federal permission in 2025 to reinstate a work requirement for Medicaid recipients, following the suspension of the previous requirement due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“In Ohio, our goal is to empower all people to reach their full potential,” Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said in a statement. “While this certainly includes providing critical assistance to people when they need it, we also have a responsibility to ensure as many Ohioans as possible are on a pathway to financial independence.”
In 2019, Ohio requested a work requirement from the Trump administration, and it was approved. Recipients needed to commit to 20 hours of work weekly or participate in other sanctioned activities to keep their health coverage intact.
In January 2021, the requirements were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In August 2021, the administration made the decision to conclude the policy.
In April, the number of Ohioans enrolled in Medicaid reached 2.9 million, providing essential health care coverage to low-income individuals, including children, the elderly, those with disabilities, and pregnant women.
From 2020 to 2023, the state’s enrollment surged to 3.55 million as requirements were relaxed due to the pandemic. The reinstatement of the earlier requirement has led to a decrease of over 500,000.
In March, state Auditor Keith Faber revealed that a state Medicaid audit indicated over 124,000 individuals were simultaneously enrolled in Ohio’s Medicaid program and a program in a different state. According to the report, the state disbursed over $1 billion for services to individuals registered in various states during a span of four years.
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At the conclusion of fiscal year 2022, Ohio allocated $28.5 billion for its Medicaid program.
“We also know there is a strong connection between being employed and improved health,” DeWine said. “Today, there are over 160,000 jobs available through OhioMeansJobs.com waiting to be filled. A work requirement will help connect more people with great jobs like these – promoting self-sufficiency while also improving the well-being of our workforce.”
