CMS Waiver Approval Will Jeopardize Healthcare Coverage for Patients in South Carolina

Twenty one patient and consumer groups issued the following statement regarding the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)’s announcement of the approval of South Carolina’s 1115 waiver: 

“Our organizations are gravely concerned about CMS’s decision to approve a work reporting requirement in South Carolina. South Carolina will be the first state that has not expanded its Medicaid program to implement a work reporting requirement of this kind, jeopardizing vital healthcare coverage for thousands of patients with serious and chronic health conditions.  South Carolinians enrolled in Medicaid comprise its most vulnerable citizens. Work requirements create unnecessary barriers to coverage, many may be unable to meet the requirements – like patients in active treatment, other patients with serious and chronic health conditions and full-time caregivers – and most people on Medicaid who can work already do so.

When Arkansas implemented a work reporting requirement last year, over 18,000 individuals lost their healthcare coverage. The U.S. District Court has already vacated approvals of waivers including work reporting requirements in Arkansas, Kentucky and New Hampshire. Our organizations strongly urge CMS to halt implementation and additional approvals of all 1115 waivers including work reporting requirements and protect patients’ access to quality and affordable healthcare in Medicaid.”

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
American Heart Association
American Kidney Fund
American Liver Foundation
American Lung Association
Arthritis Foundation
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Epilepsy Foundation
Hemophilia Federation of America
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Lutheran Services in America
March of Dimes
National Alliance on Mental Illness
National Hemophilia Foundation
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
National Organization for Rare Disorders
National Patient Advocate Foundation
National Psoriasis Foundation
Susan G. Komen
United Way Worldwide