Work Requirements for Medicaid Don’t Work for People With Disabilities
Washington, DC – The Arc released the following statement in response to the Trump Administration’s issuance of guidance about how states can include in their Section 1115 waiver proposals requirements some recipients of Medicaid work to receive coverage.
“The Arc opposes this reversal of long standing CMS policy. The Arc is also deeply concerned that critical policies we have long supported, such as Medicaid buy in programs, habilitative services, and supported employment services, are now being used to justify policies that would allow states to create barriers to Medicaid eligibility.
“Cutting off Medicaid won’t help anyone to work. Medicaid provides vital health care access that is a key ingredient for potential to be a part of the workforce. Many people with serious health conditions require access to health care services to treat those health conditions and to maintain their health and function. Furthermore, Medicaid specifically covers services, such as attendant care, that are critical to enable people with significant disabilities to have basic needs met, to get to and from work, and to do their jobs. Requiring individuals to work to qualify for these programs would create a situation in which people cannot access the services they need to work without working – setting up an impossible standard.
“The notion that this guidance excludes all people with disabilities is misleading. The protections the guidance claims to provide to people with disabilities are inadequate and will likely not protect the rights of people with disabilities.
“This is a bad policy, and we encourage the Administration to rescind it,” said Peter Berns, CEO, The Arc.
The Arc advocates for and serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), including Down syndrome, autism, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, cerebral palsy and other diagnoses. The Arc has a network of over 650 chapters across the country promoting and protecting the human rights of people with IDD and actively supporting their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes and without regard to diagnosis.
