Gov. Wolf Vetoes Bill Requiring Work or Community Engagement as Condition to Qualify for Medicaid

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Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf Image 1

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf vetoed a legislation that requires work or community engagement as a condition for certain individuals to qualify for Medical Assistance or Medicaid.

In a statement, Wolf said House Bill 2138 is not beneficial for Pennsylvanians who needs healthcare. It punishes those who need health coverage.

Additionally, Wolf explained that Pennsylvania is fighting “an unprecedented prescription drug and heroin public health crisis. Pennsylvanians suffering from drug addiction need healthcare.

He said, “Medicaid has served as a critical resource for Pennsylvanians who are suffering from a substance use disorder…Through Medicaid expansion, almost 124,000 newly eligible Medicaid enrollees were able to access drug and alcohol treatment that is critical to helping patients recover from the disease of addiction.”

“This legislation does not promote health coverage, access and treatment. Instead, this legislation increases costs, creates unnecessary delays and confusion, penalizes individuals who need healthcare, and terminates health coverage for those who need it the most.”

Rep. Dowling said House Bill 2138 will help Pennsylvanians “rise out of poverty”

Pennsylvania Republican Representative Matt Dowling is the primary sponsor of House Bill 2138. He believes that the legislation “will help individuals and families rise out of poverty and attain independence.”