The Senate on Thursday passed a measure that proposes work requirements for recipients of TennCare, the state's Medicaid program.
The bill, which calls for work requirements for "able-bodied" TennCare recipients without young children, passed 23-2, after it was overwhelmingly approved by the House earlier this year.
The passage of the measure marks the completion of one of the more controversial debates during this legislative session. With no amendments added in the Senate, the measure advances to the desk of Gov. Bill Haslam, who said he supports the bill.
The proposal, sponsored by House Speaker Beth Harwell, R-Nashville, directs the state Department of Finance and Administration to seek a federal waiver to impose work requirements for able-bodied, working-age TennCare recipients without dependent children under 6 years old.
Lawmakers have debated the bill throughout this legislative session, ironing out both funding and who would fall under the requirements and who would be exempt.
Critics of the measure have argued it would cost millions to implement the requirements for a fraction of the Tennesseans receiving benefits.
A fiscal note cited millions of dollars a year to ensure the work requirements are being followed, but lawmakers later spoke with federal officials and said federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families money could be used to cover expenses.
Others have said individuals with serious physical problems would be required to work.
But the sponsors have said the bill would exempt everyone deemed unable to work by federal standards and only seeks to hold people accountable who have abused the system.
The House voted 72-23 in favor of the measure.
This is a developing story.
Reach Reporter Jordan Buie at 615-726-5970 or by email at jbuie@tennessean.com. Follow him on Twitter @jordanbuie.
