States will delay enforcing proof-of-citizenship requirement for Medicaid

The Cinncinati Enquirer reports:

Ohio will delay enforcing a July 1 deadline for requiring Medicaidrecipients to prove their U.S. citizenship because state officials needmore time to advise people who might be at risk of losing coverage.

The state does not have an estimate of how many of the 1.7 million people on Medicaid are illegal immigrants.

Therequirement is getting criticism from advocates for the poor who say itwill cause hardships for the mentally ill, the homeless and victims ofnatural disaster who do not have their records.

The federal government didn’t clarify until last week whatdocuments are acceptable proof of citizenship to receive the healthinsurance for the poor and disabled, said Jon Allen, a spokesman forthe Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. The state needs untilOct. 1 to print new guidelines, advise Medicaid recipients and trainworkers in 88 counties on the new regulations, he said.

California made a similar announcement earlier this month.

CMS guidance on proof of citizenship is available here.