Lacking Papers, Citizens Are Cut From Medicaid

WASHINGTON, March 11 — A new federal rule intended to keep illegal
immigrants from receiving Medicaid has instead shut out tens of thousands of
United States citizens who have had difficulty complying with requirements
to show birth certificates and other documents proving their citizenship,
state officials say.

Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Ohio and
Virginia have all reported declines in enrollment and traced them to the new
federal requirement, which comes just as state officials around the country are
striving to expand coverage through Medicaid and other means.