Wisconsin is one step closer to becoming the first state to require certain Medicaid beneficiaries to pass drug tests to receive benefits, according to The Cap Times.
The Joint Finance Committee on May 25 approved a proposal — with some changes — in Republican Gov. Scott Walker's two-year budget that would require childless adult Medicaid beneficiaries to either work or undergo job training for a minimum of 80 hours per month, according to the report. Those recipients would also be required to take drug tests.
Lawmakers approved Gov. Walker's request earlier this month for a federal waiver for its Medicaid program to require childless adult enrollees to work to maintain eligibility for coverage. However, the request could not be enacted without approval from the JFC.
The JFC approved the plan but modified his proposal, which initially would have required parents who receive food stamps through FoodShare to work and undergo drug testing, according to the report. Gov. Walker's proposal to mandate drug testing for childless adults receiving food stamps won't take effect unless it gains federal approval.
"The governor's initiatives have been to help people move from dependence to independence. We're going to support that initiative and that concept, except we do believe some of the ideas need further vetting," said Joint Finance co-chair Rep. John Nygren, R, according to the report.
Read the full report here.