House OKs work mandate for able-bodied Medicaid recipients
By MARK SCOLFORO, Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The Pennsylvania House wants able-bodied adults who are enrolled in Medicaid to work at least 20 hours a week, look for a job or participate in job training.
The Republican-controlled House voted 115-to-80 Tuesday for a bill to require state officials to seek federal approval for a work requirement.
The list of exceptions includes people enrolled in high school full-time or receiving long-term disability benefits, those under age 19 or older than 64, pregnant women, prisoners and residents of mental health institutions.
Backers argue that work is a path out of poverty, while opponents say many recipients are already working and the bill would set up a costly bureaucracy that could be difficult to navigate.
Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed a bill last fall that contained a similar requirement.