Latest news with #DMAS
Axios
3 days ago
- Health
- Axios
How work requirements for Medicaid could affect Virginians
The U.S. Senate is considering a massive budget bill, passed by House Republicans, that seeks to save money by adding work requirements to Medicaid. The big picture: When Virginia tried adding similar work requirements years ago, the Department of Medical Assistance Services, which oversees the state's Medicaid program, said about 50,000 people would lose coverage. But that number would likely to be higher now since more Virginians are enrolled than in 2018. Rough estimates from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, for example, show nearly 200,000 Virginians losing coverage, including those who work or qualify for an exemption. Updated numbers won't be available until "the end of 2025 at the earliest," since they depend on federal guidance, DMAS spokesperson Kedra Keith tells Axios. State of play: The proposed bill requires states to deny or end coverage to anyone aged 19 to 64 who isn't working at least 80 hours per month, with some exemptions, starting Dec. 31, 2026. The accelerated timeline could pose administrative challenges to the states, which would be tasked with setting up expensive employment verification systems within a year and a half. Flashback: When Attorney General Jason Miyares introduced a nearly identical bill in 2018 as a state delegate, DMAS told lawmakers it could take two years to get the work requirements up and running. DMAS estimated that adding staff, changing systems, and gathering data to meet those requirements would cost more than $23 million. It would also lead to an estimated two-year loss of revenue that would offset the "savings of reduced coverage." Between the lines: These work requirements never went into effect because former Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam stopped them from moving forward in 2019, frustrating state Republicans. Friction point: The White House and some Republicans say they're rooting out fraud and avoiding subsidizing adults who "choose" not to work. But critics like Freddy Mejia, policy director for progressive policy group The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis, tell Axios the changes could lead to accidental coverage loss. "Historically, qualifying individuals have been kicked off coverage simply due to technology literacy and language barriers that make it difficult to keep up with paperwork requirements," said Mejia. By the numbers: There's little evidence that people are mooching off Medicaid, reports Axios' Emily Peck. Nationwide, 96% of adults with Medicaid work full or part time, take care of family, are disabled, attend school, or are retired, per an analysis of census data by the CBPP. 2% could not find work and another 2% are in an "other" category. What we're watching: If the bill passes Congress, states could lose funding if they don't adopt the requirement — and Virginia has a trigger law automatically ending expanded Medicaid coverage if federal funding drops below 90%.
See - Sada Elbalad
5 days ago
- Politics
- See - Sada Elbalad
European Parliament Delegation Reaffirms Strategic Ties with Egypt
H-Tayea The European Parliament's Delegation for Relations with the Mashreq Countries (DMAS) concluded an official visit to Egypt from 25 to 27 May, marking the first visit of its kind in nearly seven years. The mission, led by Chair Laurent Castillo (EPP, France), included MEPs Christophe Gomart (EPP, France), Elisabeth Grossmann (S&D, Austria), and Geadis Geadi (ECR, Cyprus). The main highlight of the visit was the 14th EU-Egypt Interparliamentary Meeting (IPM), held with members of Egypt's House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee. Discussions focused on advancing interparliamentary relations and key shared priorities, including human rights (especially women's rights), climate change, EU macro-financial assistance, and Egypt's stabilising role in the region. The delegation also held high-level meetings with senior Egyptian officials, including Speaker of the House Hanafy El-Gebaly, First Deputy Senate Speaker Bahaa El-Din Abu Shoka, Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mahmoud Fawzy. These meetings highlighted the importance of deepening EU-Egypt strategic ties amid a complex regional landscape. Dialogue covered shared interests in counter-terrorism, migration, and the Middle East peace process, with particular concern expressed over the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. DMAS reiterated the EU's support for Egypt's mediation efforts and called for continued humanitarian access. During the visit, the delegation engaged with civil society groups, human rights defenders, and the National Council for Human Rights, discussing democratic reforms and freedoms in light of Egypt's upcoming elections. MEPs encouraged further human rights improvements and legislative transparency. The delegation toured EU-funded initiatives, including a Team Europe Initiative on wastewater infrastructure supported by the French Development Agency, enhancing clean water access for millions. They also visited the Dominican Institute for Oriental Studies, and a school for refugee children, witnessing first-hand the impact of interfaith collaboration and European aid. Chair Castillo underscored the importance of educational exchanges, people-to-people diplomacy, and long-term cooperation. He extended an invitation to Egyptian parliamentarians to attend the next interparliamentary meeting at the European Parliament in 2026. The DMAS members thanked the EU Delegation in Cairo for facilitating the successful visit, which they described as a 'renewed chapter' in EU-Egypt relations. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies
