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Washington, DC – Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) today applauded approval of Kentucky’s application for a Medicaid waiver by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Since the creation of the Medicaid program, CMS has had authority to waive provisions of the statute in order to tailor the program to the specific needs of individual states. In 2016, Governor Matt Bevin applied for a waiver for the Kentucky HEALTH (Helping to Engage and Achieve Long Term Health) program, which would require certain able-bodied individuals enrolled in Medicaid to actively participate in the workforce, educational programs, drug addiction treatment, or volunteer activities. It would also establish a sliding scale of $1 to $15 for monthly premiums. 

“I am pleased to see that the Trump administration has recognized the value of the Kentucky HEALTH proposal and has approved Kentucky’s Medicaid waiver application,” said Guthrie.“The Kentucky HEALTH program will help Governor Bevin and the Kentucky state government tailor Medicaid to best fit the needs of Kentuckians. By helping low-income individuals gain employment or further their skills, the Kentucky HEALTH program will put individuals and families on a path toward success, allowing them to eventually rise from poverty and no longer have to rely on the Medicaid program. I applaud Governor Bevin for his work on this innovative program, and I hope it will serve as a model for other states as well.”

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