[Comm-Council] NEWS RELEASE: Governor directs DHS to ensure that new Medicaid rules don't harm vulnerable people

[GRIGGS Chane D * DAS DO]

From: HALL Stacey R * Governor's Office On Behalf Of MILLER Teresa *
Governor's Office
Sent: Wednesday, June 21, 2006 11:06 AM
Subject: NEWS RELEASE: Governor directs DHS to ensure that new Medicaid
rules don't harm vulnerable people


 
 
Ted Kulongoski
Governor	           <<Picture (Metafile)>> 	
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 21, 2006

Contact:
Lonn Hoklin (503.378.6169 or 503.559.1034)
Mary Ellen Glynn (503.378.4656 or 917.757.7378)

Governor directs DHS to ensure that new Medicaid rules 
don't harm vulnerable people

(Salem, OR) - Governor Ted Kulongoski said today the state will make
certain that no one who is eligible for Medicaid in Oregon will suffer
harm from new federal Medicaid requirements, which will require nearly
500,000 Medicaid recipients in Oregon to show proof of citizenship when
they enroll in the Oregon Health Plan.  

"We will make certain that no one who is eligible for Medicaid in Oregon
will be hurt as a result of these new regulations," said Governor
Kulongoski. "Despite the fact that these new rules will impose a
significant burden on the state, we will make certain that the health,
safety and well-being of our neediest citizens will not be jeopardized."


The new federal regulations, which Oregon and other states received June
9, will require about 450,000 Medicaid recipients in Oregon to show
proof of citizenship when they enroll or re-enroll in Medicaid-funded
programs, such as the Oregon Health Plan and long-term care. Oregon
Department of Human Services officials estimate as many as 70,000
Oregonians may be unable to immediately and readily provide proof of
citizenship.

"Unfortunately this is yet another financial and workload burden the
federal government has imposed on states with short notice and little
thought of the impact on citizens," the Governor said. 

"Access to health care is important to everyone," said Bruce Goldberg,
M.D., Oregon Department of Human Services Director. "Our intent is to
implement this new federal requirement in a manner that meets the law
while continuing to help some of the state's most vulnerable families
and children."  

There are concerns that the proof of citizenship requirements will be
difficult for people who are homeless, mentally ill or have
developmental disabilities.

"The new regulations provide a range of ways to establish citizenship,
and DHS workers will be assisting Oregonians to identify and locate
documentation," said Dr. Goldberg. "No one who otherwise meets
eligibility requirements for Medicaid programs will be removed from the
programs or denied assistance."

As with other Medicaid program requirements, states must implement an
effective process for ensuring compliance with documentation of
citizenship in order to obtain federal matching funds. Oregon's policy
under existing federal law has been to accept a client's declared
statement of citizenship. The new law expands this requirement to
require physical proof of citizenship to be provided at the time of
application.

For more information about the new rules, go to
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicaidEligibility/05_ProofofCitizenship.asp.

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