• Gov. Kim Reynolds has already submitted a request to the federal government for permission to institute work requirements for about 171,000 people enrolled in the Iowa Health and Wellness Plan.
• The bill, Senate File 615, would codify work requirements in Iowa law so they couldn't be undone by a future governor.
• Reynolds' request to the Trump administration would require able-bodied adults to work 100 hours per month or be enrolled in an educational or job skills program to receive health care coverage.

Iowa Republicans have sent Gov. Kim Reynolds a bill that would require thousands of Medicaid recipients to fulfill work requirements or lose their health care coverage.

Reynolds has already submitted a request to the federal government for permission to institute work requirements for about 171,000 people enrolled in the Iowa Health and Wellness Plan, the state's Medicaid expansion program.

But lawmakers' vote to send Senate File 615 to Reynolds' desk for her signature will codify the work requirements in state law so the policy couldn't be undone by a future governor.

The Iowa Senate voted 33-13 along party lines to pass the bill on Tuesday, May 13. The House followed on Wednesday, May 14, passing the bill on a vote of 56-30.

Three Republicans, Reps. Michael Bergan, R-Dorchester; Brian Lohse, R-Bondurant; and Matthew Rinker, R-Burlington; joined Democrats in voting no.

"We want to ensure that people who are able-bodied and are on government assistance are working," said...

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