Wisconsin Trying to Become First State to Drug Test Medicaid Applicants

Wisconsin wants to be the first state in the U.S. to drug test Medicaid applicants. Governor Scott Walker’s administration sent a formal request to the Trump administration regarding the matter. It states that able-bodied, childless adults would have to submit to drug screening, including marijuana, to apply for Medicaid benefits.

Work requirements would also be in place, according to KTNV 13 News. Benefits would be limited to four years until work requirements for Medicaid are met. If the Trump administration approves the request, it would take effect sometime in 2019.

Before submitting his request, Governor Walker added a provision that wouldn’t require those to be drug tested that agreed to enter substance-abuse treatment.