Mississippi revises proposal for Medicaid work requirement

(AP/WVUE) - Mississippi is still seeking federal permission to set a work requirement for able-bodied people covered by Medicaid.

The Clarion Ledger reports the state is revising its proposal.

Medicaid is a government health insurance program for the needy and disabled, paid by state and federal dollars.

To qualify for Mississippi Medicaid, a single parent or caretaker must earn less than $384 a month. However, someone working 20 hours a week at minimum wage would earn $580 a month - not enough to afford private health insurance but too much to remain on Medicaid.

Under Mississippi's new proposal, able-bodied Medicaid recipients who meet the minimum 20-hour-per-week work requirement would still receive Medicaid coverage for two years. An earlier proposal was one year of coverage.

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