Governor Andy Beshear has signed an executive order that reverses the policy of former Governor Matt Bevin that would have required many Medicaid recipients to work in order to get coverage.
In a press conference Monday afternoon, Beshear says the Medicaid policy signed by Bevin—which was still under scrutiny in court—would have hurt more than just those who depend on it for healthcare.
He says they have asked the court to remove Kentucky from the lawsuit.
Governor Beshear says it is a victory that thousands of Kentuckians will keep their healthcare, and the way they move people from Medicaid is to increase wages and attract high paying jobs.
Beshear says the Medicaid work requirement waver would have cost the state $270 million to implement, and taken healthcare from those who depend on it. The waiver would have required people between the ages of 19 and 64 to complete 80 hours per month of “community engagement” to keep their benefits.