Under the proposal, the state's Medicaid program, called BadgerCare, would require beneficiaries to be assessed for substance abuse and undergo a drug test "if indicated." People would not become ineligible for Medicaid if they tested positive for drugs, but would be referred to a treatment program or otherwise have benefits delayed for six months. Anyone who refuses testing or assessment would not be eligible to receive Medicaid.
The work requirement proposal would apply to non-disabled adults who are not students and are not over the age of 49. Under the plan, someone who is in Medicaid for four years but doed not participate in a training program or is not employed for at least 80 hours a month would lose eligibility for six months.
Health officials in Wisconsin are releasing a detailed proposal Wednesday and plan to submit a finalized version to the Trump administration by May 26, though they will hold public hearings beforehand.
Walker recently has also proposed drug testing able-bodied adults who are on food assistance and people who receive unemployment benefits.
Medicaid was written under Obamacare to be expanded to low-income people in all states, but because a 2012 Supreme Court decision made expansion optional for states, Wisconsin and 18 other states haven't expanded, for political reasons and over concerns about long-term costs.