A bill that would have required most “able-bodied” welfare recipients to work has been tabled in the Iowa House. Republican Representative Steven Holt of Denison says welfare fraud is the number one issue voters in his district want addressed — however, the bill will not advance in a House committee because there’s an estimated one-MILLION-dollar price tag for the administrative costs to implement the bill.
The Trump Administration will allow states to impose a work requirement for Medicaid recipients. The legislation Holt and two other House members reviewed called for Iowans getting food stamps as well as Medicaid benefits to work or engage in volunteer activities if they are able. Wendy Rickman of the Iowa Department of Human Services says her agency would have to hire at least 100 more workers to oversee the requirements outlined in the bill.
Republican legislators may direct Iowa Department of Human Services officials to start drafting a federal waiver request that Iowans getting welfare benefits be required to work, if they are able.
