This week Utah's Department of Health and Human Services released a draft Medicaid work requirement waiver, called a "Community Engagement Waiver". You can find that waiver here. The public comment period for the waiver runs from now until May 22. On Monday I would like to begin circulating an interfaith sign-on letter opposing the waiver that we can submit during the public comment period and am wondering if any of the people who receive this email would be willing to help.

There are many problems with this proposal but I think for the purpose of a sign-on letter it would be useful to focus on three:

1. The waiver requires people who are not exempt from the work requirement to work at least 30 hours per week. This is problem because one big reason people end up needing Medicaid is that many employers prohibit entire categories of employees from working more than 29 hours per week so they do not have an obligation to provide those employees with health insurance. People working 29 hours a week for an employer who refuses to allow them to work 30 need our support at the workplace-- not to be punished for being lazy.
2. The waiver requires people who are not exempt from the work requirement to apply for 48 jobs in three months or else they will be kicked off Medicaid. This requirement would require people who are already working 29 hours per week to take time off that job to apply for other jobs in order to continue having access to healthcare. Applying for 48 jobs in three months could also be a major challenge for people with serious mental illness, cognitive limitations or other disabling conditions.
3. The proposed work requirement waiver does not make accommodations for people with serious mental illness unless they qualify for federal disability benefits.

I am hoping the sign on letter will address these issues in a clear, concise and factually accurate manner and be something we can share not just with the Department of Health and Human Services but also with the Governor and state legislators. If you are willing to look at the waiver and/or read a draft of the letter tomorrow, so that it can be sent out on Monday morning, please let me know.

Bill Tibbitts, Director

FACE Hunger and Homelessness

Downtown Food Pantry:  347 South 400 East. Salt Lake City, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM. For more information call 801-364-7765.

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Services Available:   Food Bags or Boxes • Baby Formula • Diapers • Soap, Toothpaste & Other Hygiene Products • Tampons & Pads • Vouchers for Free Clothing at our Thrift Store. 

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