Monday, March 26, 2018 10:27 am

NASHVILLE--Recently, Tennessee House Republicans passed House Bill 1551 -- sponsored by State Representative Clark Boyd (R-Lebanon) -- which reinstates work requirements for certain able-bodied citizens receiving benefits through the state's Medicaid program, TennCare.

House Bill 1551 instructs the commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration to file a new waiver that allows Tennessee to implement reasonable work requirements for TennCare enrollees. Thanks to an important decision by the Trump Administration, the Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued new guidelines for state Medicaid programs; this allows Tennessee to file a new Medicaid waiver with the federal government.

"In the Volunteer State, we believe in offering a hand up, not just a hand out. These new requirements will open up the door for many TennCare recipients to find meaningful employment and begin working towards no longer needing government subsidized healthcare," said Representative Boyd. "I am proud to sponsor this common-sense piece of legislation."

Under the new TennCare waiver, certain able-bodied recipients would be able to fulfill their work requirements by working part-time, volunteering in their community, or by receiving job training that will give them the tools to find substantive employment.

Clark Boyd serves as a member of the House Insurance & Banking Committee. He is also a member of the House Consumer & Human Resources Committee and Subcommittee. Boyd lives in Lebanon and represents House District 46, which includes Cannon, and part of Wilson and DeKalb Counties. He can be reached by email at: Rep.Clark.Boyd@capitol.tn.gov or by calling (615) 741-7086.