Rep. Beau LaFave criticized last week’s ruling by a federal judge in Washington, D.C. invalidating Michigan’s requirements that able-bodied adults be working or on the path toward employment to continue receiving taxpayer-funded Medicaid benefits.

“Here’s what this boils down to…would-be socialists will go to great lengths to undermine good laws that protect taxpayers,” said LaFave, of Iron Mountain. “The Michigan law that just got thrown out is a simple, common-sense reform that never should have been challenged in court to begin with – because it’s good policy.

“The way the Michigan law is written, some able-bodied adults would only have to work six months, part-time each year to continue receiving taxpayer-funded Medicaid as long as they are looking for employment. Some would not need a job at all because there are practical, common-sense exemptions built right into the law for those truly not in a position to work – including pregnancy, parents with young children, caretakers of the disabled, full-time students and those on unemployment. The work requirement also does not affect children, seniors or the disabled.”

The work requirement does not apply to Medicaid recipients below the federal poverty line. For recipients who would need to meet the work requirements, they could count job searches and training programs, internships, community service and attending school including GED certification.

“These reforms are intended to help people work toward self-sufficiency and ensure the Medicaid program is around for years to come for those who truly need it,” LaFave said. “No one likes to say it, but there are people out there who don’t want to work and would prefer to live off your tax dollars. Ending Michigan’s Medicaid work requirements would basically be a court-sanctioned robbing of Michigan’s hard-working taxpayers.”