In 1996, then-President Clinton signed the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA), commonly referred to as the “Welfare to Work” program, to incentivize enrollees who can work to seek employment. This successful shift in welfare policy showed that improving welfare services can be achieved while lowering costs for taxpayers and increasing employment.

That is why I plan to introduce legislation that would apply for a Section 1315 waiver of the Social Security Act to require work or community engagement as a condition of eligibility for Medicaid. The intention is to encourage physically and mentally able Medicaid enrollees to find employment, job training, or volunteer opportunities. Work and community engagement policies such as this have proven to be successful in several states, with reduced costs and decreases in unemployment.

I ask that you please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation to help individuals and families rise out of poverty and attain independence.