Frank Sietzen: New Medicaid restriction may soon affect thousands in D.C.

WASHINGTON (Map, News) - A moratorium on the implementation of new proof-of-citizenship requirements for D.C. Medicaid patients is about to expire, potentially leaving thousands who are otherwise eligible for benefits without medical care.

The new requirement, which could affect 140,000

patients, was prompted by language in the federal Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. It mandates that Medicaid patients produce documentation proving U.S. citizenship to continue receiving benefits. Without the proper paperwork, those patients could lose payments for hospital and other medical services — even nursing home care.

An agreement to delay implementation in the District until July 17 was reached after talks between the D.C. Attorney General’s office and lawyers representing Bread for the City, a nonprofit food pantry, and 11 city residents.

For many of the people served by Bread for the City, producing any valid documentation is difficult due to their age or health condition, explained George Jones, executive director of the nonprofit group.

They may have had a birth certificate at one time, but have spent years since trying to find the paperwork to get an identification card. Some very ill patients are so incapacitated they can’t even assist health care workers in securing a birth certificate, Jones said.

As a result, Jones and many others say they believe tens of thousands of D.C. residents could suddenly lose vital medical care they are legitimately eligible for. The organization and the group of residents moved June 29 to block implementation of the rules.

The group is not against the requirement itself, he said, only the timing of its imposition.

“I do believe that this act should be enforced ultimately,” Jones said.

Late last week, the Bush administration made exceptions for Medicaid patients who had previously qualified for Medicare or Supplemental Security Income payments. The move, the government said, could affect about 8 million patients nationally, especially those in mental institutions. The exceptions were made because those patients had previously been required to prove their citizenship, according to administration officials.

But how the rules would be assessed against other elderly and infirm patients was not clear as The Examiner went to press.

Bread for the City officials told The Examiner they were hopeful a solution could be found to address the issue before the moratorium expires for those D.C. patients left in limbo. Jones suggested the District might elect to continue holding off even after July 17, but the interim agreement, as of press time, runs only through that date.

“The ball is in the District’s court at this point, regarding whether there is a need for discussion or if Bread has to push once again for a Temporary Restraining Order,” Jones said.

A call requesting comment from the D.C. Attorney General’s office was not returned.

Have information about area nonprofits? Contact Frank Sietzen at fsietzen@yahoo.com.