To the Secretary of State, the Oklahoma Health Care Authority Board, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services: WHEREAS, a core objective of the Medicaid program is to help low-income families and individuals attain capability for independence; WHEREAS, work is a critical tool in attaining capability for independence; WHEREAS, work requirements in other welfare programs have helped move individuals from welfare to work; WHEREAS, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued guidance in January 2018 for states seeking to further the objectives of the Medicaid program by promoting work; and WHEREAS, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have approved two states' proposals to promote work. THEREFORE, pursuant to the power and authority vested in me by Sections 1 and 2 of Article VI of the Oklahoma Constitution, I hereby direct the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to file any and all federal waivers and state plan amendments necessary to incorporate a work requirement in the Medicaid program. All existing exemptions shall be applied, including but not limited to individuals under the age of 19; over the age of 64; medically certified as physically or mentally unfit for employment; pregnant; a parent or caretaker responsible for the care of a dependent child under the age of 6; a parent or caretaker personally providing the care for a dependent child with serious medical conditions or with a disability; receiving unemployment compensation and complying with work requirements that are part of the Federal-State unemployment compensation system; or participating in a drug addiction or alcoholic treatment and rehabilitation program. The Oklahoma Health Care Authority shall submit recommendations for any state plan amendments or waivers required under this Executive Order within six months to the Governor and the Legislature. Copies of this Executive Order shall be distributed to every member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, every member of the Oklahoma State Senate, the Clerk of the House of Representatives, the Secretary of the Senate, the Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services, the Secretary of State, the Oklahoma Health Care Authority Board, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Oklahoma to be affixed at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, this 5th day of March, 2018. BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA Mary Fallin Dave Lopez Secretary of State
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