Kentucky residents have filed a lawsuit challenging the administration’s re-approval of a Medicaid waiver that would establish “community engagement” requirements for certain Medicaid beneficiaries. Eligibility for these individuals would be contingent on their working or engaging in other specified activities for a certain number of hours per month. Last year a court overturned the administration’s initial approval of the waiver, finding that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) did not adequately consider how the waiver would further the aim of the Medicaid program – to provide medical assistance to low-income individuals. After a court-mandated public comment period, CMS re-approved the waiver. The plaintiffs claim that CMS again failed to consider the purpose of the Medicaid program in the waiver-approval process. See Medicaid Recipients File Suit Again to Block Bevin’s Work Requirements and Premiums (Lexington Herald Leader, 1/15/19).
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