The State Senate will consider a bill Thursday to require able-bodied TennCare recipients to work.
The House approved the bill Monday 72-23 which mandates adults without dependent children under the age of six seek employment. If passed, the state would need a federal waiver for the bill, as TennCare serves as the state’s Medicaid service.
House Democrats tried to add multiple amendments to narrow the scope of the bill, citing the bill’s effects on single mothers. Democrats cited the cost of child care, arguing the implementation could simply reinforce poverty or a cycle of poverty through parent-less children.
“All they would have to do is potentially work 20 hours a week, they could volunteer, or they could go back under Tennessee Promise or Tennessee Reconnect for 20 hours and go to one of our TCATs,” Representative Cameron Sexton said.
Democrats also argued the resources could be better spent to pay for mental health and addiction care for those on TennCare.
“Those who have exceptions whether it’s mental illness or opioid addiction or their age classification are already exempted from this bill,” Representative Ryan Williams said. “This is not the desire to take it away from anyone.”
