Some conservative-led states, including Missouri and Iowa, are not using a federal exemption meant to protect low-income people's Medicaid cover in areas of high unemployment, even though some of their counties would qualify, according to research by the health policy group KFF reported by the Guardian.
From 1 January, adults covered through the Affordable Care Act's Medicaid expansion must work, study, volunteer or take part in other qualifying activities for at least 80 hours a month to keep their coverage. The law allows exemptions for people in hospital, those travelling for medical care and residents of disaster-hit or high-unemployment areas. New York City has applied the unemployment exemption to the Bronx, covering about 200,000 people. Experts told the Guardian that states may be avoiding extra administrative work or acting for political reasons. Missouri and Iowa officials were asked for comment.
Source: The Guardian US