Here & Now

Wisconsin Medicaid Applicants May Soon Face Drug Testing

Zac Schultz:

Now for more news of the week. On Wednesday the Walker Administration submitted a request to the federal government for a waiver to drug test Wisconsin residents who apply for Medicaid. The program would test some participants including able-bodied adults who don’t have children. Walker said the program would result in drug addicts getting treatment and becoming more employable. Critics say it won’t prevent people from using drugs but instead would be another hurdle that poor people have to overcome in order to get the care they need. If approved, Wisconsin would be the first in the nation to drug test Medicaid applicants.