NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — A new study says 68,000 Tennesseans are at risk of losing health insurance if work requirements are added to the state's TennCare program.
Last year, state lawmakers approved adding work and education requirements to TennCare. The proposal would require able-bodied TennCare recipients to work an average of 20 hours a week. The law is waiting on approval from federal officials before it can go into place.
The new study, released on Wednesday, said 68,000 people could lose health insurance under those requirements. The research was done by Georgetown University Health Policy Institute along with the Tennessee Justice Center. They looked at federal data and the results of work requirements in other states, like Arkansas. Researchers said mothers, who make up 77 percent of TennCare recipients, would be the hardest hit.
One of those mothers is Julie Whitacre.
Whitacre is the mother to two seven-year-old twin girls, one of whom was born with several severe medical conditions, causing her to spend four months in the NICU and leaving her with disabilities. Whitacre said she had the option of taking care of her daughter or going back to work.
"I just thought, well that's a no-brainer. I could be here with my little daughter who has no one, or I could go back to work," Whitacre said.
She said she tries not to think of the potential of TennCare work requirements going into effect and what it could mean for her and other caregivers.
"Some months I can work...some months I cant work at all. So this would very much impact me," she said. "This is definitely an added anxiety and a stress."
Supporters of the added requirements argue they will pull people out of poverty by pushing them into education and employment.
Federal officials are seeking public comment on the added work requirements. You can share your opinion at this website.
