According to a new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), the new Medicaid proof-of-citizenship law is having unintended consequences. Last year, Congress passed a law requiring Medicaid beneficiaries and applicants to prove U.S. citizenship before receiving care. The law was intended to curb fraud in the Medicaid program and prevent illegal aliens, who are not legally authorized to be in the country, from receiving care through the program. But according to the … [Read more...] about Is Medicaid Proof-of-Citizenship Law Backfiring?
Search Results for: citizenship
Bush Administration Relaxes Proof of Citizenship Requirement
The Bush Administration has backtracked on its commitment to require Medicaid recipients to show proof of citizenship to continue receiving benefits. At least eight million people will be exempted from the requirement because they established citizenship when they applied for Medicare or Supplemental Security Income. Is "established" the same as "proved"? Did the Medicare and Supplemental Security Income recipients show documentation or simply check a box? Last week I wrote that the new … [Read more...] about Bush Administration Relaxes Proof of Citizenship Requirement
Medicaid Proof of Citizenship in Effect
On July 1, a new rule went into effect that requires new Medicaid applicants and current beneficiaries re-enrolling in Medicaid to show proof of U.S. citizenship in order to collect benefits. Last month I wrote about the new law and followed up with a post about the Texas Health and Human Services Commission's intention to verify the citizenship and identity of beneficiaries in Texas. At least one state will delay implementing the new law. North Carolina will push the effective date back as … [Read more...] about Medicaid Proof of Citizenship in Effect
Citizenship Verification for Medicaid Recipients
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will begin verifying the citizenship and identity of people applying for or receiving Medicaid to comply with a new federal law that takes effect July 1. The federal Deficit Reduction Act, passed earlier this year, does not change who is eligible to receive services. But the new law does require states to verify the citizenship or immigration status of all Medicaid clients. HHSC Executive Commissioner Albert Hawkins said Texas already … [Read more...] about Citizenship Verification for Medicaid Recipients
Proof of Citizenship for Medicaid
In a move that is sure to cause controversy (although it shouldn't), President George Bush plans to implement new standards requiring Medicaid recipients to prove American citizenship in order to receive benefits. Although the Senate and House of Representatives are trying to reach a compromise on the immigration bill, Bush signed the Medicaid citizenship requirements into law back in February. The requirements will take effect on July 1, 2006. From the New York Times (free registration … [Read more...] about Proof of Citizenship for Medicaid
“Alert: New Form I-9 Effective Immediately”
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS), which enforces federal employment verification requirements, has issued the first updated Form I-9 since 1991. Devised to help employers verify that every new employee is either a U.S. citizen or authorized to work in the U.S., the law requires that the new Form I-9 be used for all individuals hired on or after November 7, 2007. However, CIS also granted a 30-day "transition period" for employers to begin using the new form. That transition … [Read more...] about “Alert: New Form I-9 Effective Immediately”
Texas Register Updates: Reimbursement Rates, Hearings, Etc.
Reimbursement Rates The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has proposed to amend §355.114, Consumer Directed Services Payment Option, in its Reimbursement Rates. The reimbursement methodology for Consumer Directed Services (CDS) allocates a flat fee of the total payment rate for each CDS hour of service without regard for total payment. The amendment would change the rate to one that reflected the CDS Agency’s actual level of effort providing support services. See the … [Read more...] about Texas Register Updates: Reimbursement Rates, Hearings, Etc.
Automatic Medicaid Enrollment of U.S.-Born Babies of Illegal Aliens Ends
Last week, President George W. Bush announced that U.S.-born babies of illegal aliens no longer will be automatically enrolled in Medicaid. Under the new policy, which took effect this past July, illegal aliens will be required to prove their baby’s citizenship. (Kaiser Network) Leslie Norwalk, acting administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, told the New York Times, “When emergency Medicaid pays for a birth, the child is not automatically deemed eligible. But the … [Read more...] about Automatic Medicaid Enrollment of U.S.-Born Babies of Illegal Aliens Ends
DHS Announces New Initiative on Immigration Law Compliance
On July 26, the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced a new initiative and best business practices to help employers ensure they are hiring a legal workforce through voluntary partnerships with the government. Called the ICE Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers (IMAGE), the program is designed to build cooperative relationships between government and businesses to reinforce hiring practices and reduce the unlawful employment of … [Read more...] about DHS Announces New Initiative on Immigration Law Compliance