Menlove is Right: Medicaid Patients can Work

Don't toss Rhonda Menlove's idea out so quickly.

Menlove, a Utah House member from Garland, is introducing legislation calling for some of Utah's Medicaid recipients to enter a trial program, doing community service in exchange for the benefits they receive.

Menlove is right. But, oh will we need to adjust our way of thinking.

Working in exchange for benefits does not need to be oppressive. It does not need to be an even trade off in value of work for value of benefit. It does not need to be work, work. If we make this effort only with Medicaid, there probably won't be much benefit to the economy. But, if taken across our entire social aid program, this will benefit the economy. If for no other reason than helping instill a work ethic in our people.

On of the cornerstones of my campaign has been that we should allow people to work for what they receive.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Social Security Act of 1935, the bill that brought forward much of our social aid efforts. Welfare is good. Helping others is good. Taking care of our needy is the right thing to do.

But, something offered for something received is also a good thing. Sometimes it might be full value. Other times, they recompense with but token work.

With the Social Security Act having just past its 75th anniversary, now would be an opportune time to say enough is enough of no work for benefits. Not only Medicaid, but other social programs should have work attached to them, as well.

And, not on a trial basis, but permanently.

Menlove's idea isn't going over too well with Lincoln Nehring, policy analyst at the Utah Health Policy Project. Nehring told the Tribune children shouldn't be expected to sweat to earn their health care, nor should elderly with serious health problems be required to work.

Three things should be noted with regard to this. First, the program does not need to require hard labor, or any kind of oppressive work. The work they do can be easy, not overly laborious at all. Whatever work they do, it should be something they can do. It can be pushing papers instead of pushing a broom.

Second, children's parents can do work for them.

Third, while I respect Lincoln Nehring for not wanting to overburden those on disabilities and those with children, when we say someone should not be expected to any work at all for benefits, we err.

(This was rewritten Sept. 13th.)