Governor Directs DHS to Ensure That No One Suffers From New Medicaid Rules

DHS officials estimate as many as 70,000 Oregonians may be unable to immediately and readily provide proof of citizenship.

Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski Photo By: Tim King

(SALEM) - Governor Kulongoski said Wednesday 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.

"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 www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicaidEligibility/05_ProofofCitizenship.asp