Missouri, Iowa Decline Hardship Exemptions From Medicaid Work Rules
Some conservative states, including Missouri and Iowa, are declining to adopt hardship exemptions available under new federal Medicaid work requirements, according to experts cited in the article. The requirements, set to take effect January 1, mandate that adults enrolled through ACA Medicaid expansion work, attend school, volunteer, or engage in another qualifying activity for at least 80 hours a month to keep coverage. Hardship exemptions are designed to let states shield low-income enrollees from losing coverage during difficult circumstances, but experts say some states appear to be forgoing them for political reasons. The piece examines how state-level discretion in implementing the federal mandate could affect coverage loss among expansion enrollees.