Current:Home > MarketsJudge refuses to extend timeframe for Georgia’s new Medicaid plan, only one with work requirement-LoTradeCoin
Judge refuses to extend timeframe for Georgia’s new Medicaid plan, only one with work requirement
View Date:2024-12-23 19:46:54
ATLANTA (AP) — A federal judge ruled that the Biden administration complied with the law when it declined to grant an extension to Georgia’s year-old Medicaid plan, which is the only one in the country that has a work requirement for recipients of the publicly funded health coverage for low-income people.
The state didn’t comply with federal rules for an extension, so the Biden administration legally rejected its request to extend the Georgia Pathways to Coverage program’s expiration date from September 2025 to 2028, U.S. Judge Lisa Godbey Wood ruled Monday.
A spokeswoman for the state attorney general’s office referred comment to the governor’s office, which didn’t immediately respond to an email sent Tuesday.
Georgia Pathways requires all recipients to show that they performed at least 80 hours of work, volunteer activity, schooling or vocational rehabilitation each month. It also limits coverage to able-bodied adults earning no more than the federal poverty line, which is $15,060 for a single person and $31,200 for a family of four.
The Biden administration revoked the work requirement in 2021, but Wood later reinstated it in response to a lawsuit by the state. Georgia sued the administration again in February, arguing that the decision to revoke the work requirement and another aspect of Pathways delayed implementation of the program. That reduced the program’s originally approved five-year term to just over two years.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services twice rejected the request to extend Pathways, saying the state had failed to meet requirements for an extension request, including a public notice and comment period. Georgia argued that it was seeking to amend the program, so those requirements should not apply.
In her latest ruling, Wood said the state had indeed made an extension request. She agreed that the Biden administration’s decision to revoke parts of Pathways had delayed its implementation, but she said a “prior bad act” did not allow the state to “now skirt the rules and regulations governing time extensions.”
“If Georgia wants to extend the program beyond the September 30, 2025, deadline, it has to follow the rules for obtaining an extension,” she wrote.
Pathways is off to a rocky start. Georgia officials expected it to provide health insurance to 25,000 low-income residents, or possibly tens of thousands more, by now. But enrollment stood at just over 4,300 as of last month.
Critics say the work requirement is too onerous. Supporters say Pathways needs more time.
veryGood! (96)
Related
- Republican Dan Newhouse wins reelection to US House in Washington
- You'll Be Late Night Talking About Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine's The Idea of You Teaser
- Fashion designer Willy Chavarria's essentials: Don Julio, blazers and positive affirmations
- You'll Be Late Night Talking About Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine's The Idea of You Teaser
- Georgia public universities and colleges see enrollment rise by 6%
- Shohei Ohtani is the AP Male Athlete of the Year for the 2nd time in 3 years
- Hundreds alleged assault by youth detention workers. Years later, most suspects face no charges
- 'I'm gonna die broke': Guy Fieri explains how his family could inherit Flavortown
- Who is Rep. Matt Gaetz, the Florida congressman Donald Trump picked to serve as attorney general?
- 'I'm gonna die broke': Guy Fieri explains how his family could inherit Flavortown
Ranking
- Chris Evans Shares Thoughts on Starting a Family With Wife Alba Baptista
- After 58 deaths on infamous Pacific Coast Highway, changes are coming. Will they help?
- Canada announces temporary visas for people in Gaza with Canadian relatives
- GM buys out nearly half of its Buick dealers across the country, who opt to not sell EVs
- Ryan Reynolds Clarifies Taylor Swift’s Role as Godmother to His Kids With Blake Lively
- How 'Iron Claw' star Zac Efron learned pro wrestling 'is not as easy as it looks on TV'
- A police SUV slammed into a bar in St. Louis. Police response drawing scrutiny
- No. 1 recruit Jeremiah Smith ends speculation as Ohio State confirms signing Wednesday
Recommendation
-
MVSU football player killed, driver injured in crash after police chase
-
New Year, Better Home: Pottery Barn's End of Season Sale Has Deals up to 70% Off
-
Two boys asked Elf on the Shelf to bring home their deployed dad. Watch what happened.
-
After 58 deaths on infamous Pacific Coast Highway, changes are coming. Will they help?
-
Gerry Faust, the former head football coach at Notre Dame, has died at 89
-
Cuisinart Flash Deal, Save $100 on a Pizza Oven That’s Compact and Easy To Use
-
Science says declining social invites is OK. Here are 3 tips for doing it
-
Berlin film festival to honor Martin Scorsese for lifetime achievement