COURT/HHS/MEDICAID/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “The Trump administration has once again approved Kentucky’s request to require certain Medicaid recipients to get jobs or lose their benefits. The state was set to begin implementing the mandate this summer, but was blocked by a US district court judge, who voided the federal government’s earlier approval. Judge James Boasberg said the Department of Health and Human Services did not adequately consider whether the Kentucky HEALTH project would help the state provide medical benefits for its residents, a central objective of Medicaid. He kicked the matter back to the agency for further review. In reapproving the state’s waiver on Tuesday, the agency said requiring recipients to work is in line with Medicaid”s objectives to improve beneficiaries’ health and financial independence. Starting April 1, Kentucky can require working age, non-disabled adult enrollees without dependents to work, volunteer, go to job training or participate in other activities for up to 80 hours a month to maintain their coverage. It also mandates that many recipients pay premiums and locks them out of the program for up to six months if they violate certain rules.”
–Tami Luhby, “Trump administration doubles down on letting Kentucky impose Medicaid work requirements,” CNN Politics, CNN.com, November 20, 2018 10:48 pm