Director, Commonwealth Policy Center

The Trump administration approved a plan to incentivize benefits for Kentucky's Medicaid recipients. This is round two since a federal judge struck down the original Medicaid requirements back in June. The judge said the state didn't consider how it will impact recipients, so the state revised its application. The idea is that able-bodied Medicaid recipients between the ages of 18-64 should work part time, go to school or volunteer in their community. It exempts primary caregivers of family members, pregnant women and the disabled. Some see this as a cold-hearted move. But the Bevin administration contends this offers a path away from dependency and toward independency. According Cabinet for Health and Family Services Secretary Adam Meier the plan will lead to "improved health outcomes for all recipients and success through long-term independence."