Public comment posted on Medicaid work reporting requirement rule

Today, the CT Health Policy Project submitted public comment on the federal proposed rule to implement Medicaid work reporting requirements.

We are concerned about the rule for several reasons.

• The new requirements are a massive and costly burden on Medicaid members and the Dept. of Social Services.
• They will not increase employment or hours worked, based on experience with work requirements in other states.
• They will result in thousands of Connecticut residents losing coverage in error.  The large majority are working or exempt under the law, also based on other state experience.
• The rate of uninsured in Connecticut will rise to levels not seen in decades, causing people to delay care until health problems are harder and more costly to treat.
• Medical debt will increase dramatically and providers won’t be paid for providing care.
• Connecticut residents will lose jobs, particularly in healthcare.
• HUSKY is a national leader in quality, access, and controlling costs. That progress is at risk with this rule.

Many thanks to Health Equity Solutions and Connecticut’s legal aid programs for assistance with drafting these comments.

For more on the work requirements, see our updated HUSKY and work requirements – How to make it work.