Medicaid eligibility requires someone to work, is that right?How does ethics affect what healthcare is provided for free?  Is healthcare a right?  Do you believe that social rights without responsibilities will result in abuse?  As a state and a nation, that is a tough question to deal with, and obviously has a significant impact on how medicine is delivered. 

 

One of societies ethical and financial challenge is the topic of work requirements to be eligible for Medical Assistance.  A section of the below article reads..."Medicaid is a state and federally funded program providing medical care to 73.4 million poor, disabled and elderly Americans" (Sept. 20, 2018 Star Tribune article...copy attached). Based on the second attached article (Star Tribune April 17, 2018), 1 in 5 Minnesotans rely on Medicaid for their healthcare.  According to that same article, "...there are more than 324,000 able-bodied Minnesotans enrolled in Medicaid...".  Do realize these articles are editorials, so are presented with some bias.

 

Is it fair and ethical to require people to work to be eligible for Medicaid (Medical Assistance)?  

 

Besides the two editorial articles in the Star Tribune that I referenced above, I encourage you to Google Medicaid Work Requirements and find out what is happening in other states.  The two Star Tribune articles are a little old, but still raise good questions.  Following this email are two more email articles about work requirements for Medicaid.  Please open those links and read the info included.  

 

Based on your research, the materials included with this assignment summary, and other sources you may find, are there other states considering similar legislative to what is happening in Minnesota and what are those potential decisions?  How many states have some form of work requirements for Medicaid?  Are there national discussions underway about this topic and does the federal government impact what could happen per state and nationally?  After commenting on what is happening so far locally and nationally, what do you think is right?  If you were "King" of our nation and empowered to decide what should happen, what would you decide and why?

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

Medicaid eligibility indeed has been subject to work requirements in certain states These requirements mandate that individuals must work participate in job training or volunteer in order to maintain ... View the full answer