CMS officials reapproved Kentucky's Medicaid work requirements after a June ruling blocked the state's first attempt to implement the new rules, according to The Hill.
The judge blocked the requirements because he argued they contradicted Medicaid's primary objective of providing coverage to those in need. In response, CMS opened a new public comment period for the work requirements.
In a Nov. 20 letter to Kentucky officials approving the requirements, CMS said the rules incentivize people to work and lead better lives, which it argued is in line with Medicaid's objectives.
"The goal of these policies is to incentivize compliance, not reduce coverage," CMS officials said.