Despite rulings, Medicaid work requirement leaves 16,000 Arkansans without health care

[jpak]

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/despite-rulings-medicaid-work-requirement-leaves-16-000-arkansans-without-n989211

At 40, Adrian McGonigal had the best job of his career working in the shipping department of Southwest Poultry in Pea Ridge, Arkansas — a town of about 5,700. He’d suffered from a slew of serious medical conditions, but thanks to the state’s decision to expand Medicaid, he was able to go to the doctor and get the prescriptions he needed to continue to work.

But then Arkansas imposed work requirements on Medicaid, which meant that he had to go online to report the hours he worked to the state government. McGonigal — who had limited access to a computer and has trouble using them — didn’t realize he would have to report his hours every month, so when he went to pick up his prescription in October, he was told his medication would cost $800.

He hadn’t fulfilled the work requirement order, so he lost his insurance. Because he couldn't afford his medicine, his health worsened, he missed several days of work due to illness and Southwest Poultry fired him.

That anecdote leads the 35-page opinion that struck down Arkansas’ work requirements law this week, stymieing the legislation that had caused 18,000 Arkansans to lose health insurance over the past several months. About 2,000 were able to re-enroll after losing their coverage.

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[LovingA2andMI]

1. They Vote for Republicans in Arkansas...

Right?

[MineralMan]

2. Stupid legislators enact stupid laws.

Vote for Democrats - Not the Stupid Party.

[SHRED]

3. Keep voting Repub and this is the result

And worse.

[area51]

4. I wonder if this country will ever evolve to viewing healthcare as a basic human right. n/t

[OhNo-Really]

5. so the law worked!

My friend with 3 kids went back to finish her degree. She qualified for Section 8, food stamps, WIC, & Medicaid.

She is intelligent and organized.

She once siad "the paper work & hoops to jump through were so many and complex, she doubted anyone without computer training and/or a low IQ could keep their benefits"

As an aside, her PRimary care doctor refused to look at her breast because not covered by Medicaid & the Local Health clinic told her the disfigured breast was just fine, no worry. The lab & the radiologist also failed, she had a mammogram every year.

It was stage 4 breast cancer by the time someone took her concerns seriously.

She sued and won. And survived ✨✨🙏✨✨

And graduated!

[Ohiogal]

8. How wonderful your friend

was justly compensated. She is truly a survivor!

Sickening the treatment that most poor people are forced to endure.

[badhair77]

6. And they say they're pro-life . . .

[Ohiogal]

7. I highly recommend

reading “Maid” by Stephanie Land.

Her true story of what it’s like to be a working poor single mom and trying to navigate the complicated and burdensome social services system. And the humiliating treatment she got from doctors, stores, and employers. I truly think every lawmaker in the country should be required to read it.