8/16/17
by News Department on 08/16/17Public Assistance...
House Bill 59 was introduced to Harrisburg, in July, aiming to clamp down on public assistance spending but critics say it could leave drug addicts trying to get clean without benefits.
HB 59 would among other things, request a waiver from the federal government to require able-bodied people to work or seek employment as a stipulation of their benefits.
But some said that people struggling with addiction, who probably can’t work while undergoing rehabilitation, could lose their coverage.
The Pennsylvania Health Access Network estimates about 10 percent or up to 79,000 Pennsylvanians could be booted from their Medicaid plans because of HB 59, and more specifically the work requirement.
The Senate OK’d the bill late last month with amendments refining which Medicaid recipients would be exempt, including pregnant, elderly and disabled people, and sent it back to the house for approval where it remains now.
Gov. Tom Wolf said he is opposed to Medicaid changes that make it harder to get health care services.
It’s unclear whether lawmakers intend drug addiction to be included as a disability.
