Coalition of States Sues US Government Over Medicaid Rules

A coalition of twenty-five states and the District of Columbia has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration. They submitted the legal challenge on Monday in a federal district court that is located in Massachusetts. The lawsuit targets a new rule that changes work requirements for people who receive Medicaid healthcare coverage. According to the rule, most beneficiaries must work or study for eighty hours every single month. GOP lawmakers support the policy because they want to reduce waste and abuse in the program. However, the law has always included an exemption for citizens who are medically frail. The states are angry because the government has recently narrowed this definition of medical frailty. Under the new guidelines, people must prove that their sickness prevents them from doing any work. As a result, vulnerable patients might have to jump through many difficult administrative hoops. If they cannot complete the complicated paperwork, they will lose their essential healthcare benefits. States discussed the plans with officials for months before the new rule surprised them. In addition, many individuals who are currently studying might lose their coverage under the new rule. These students need reliable healthcare so they can finish their education and find good jobs. They argue that people with serious illnesses like cancer should not worry about losing their care. The states believe that Congress wanted to write a very broad law to help everyone. Therefore, the coalition has decided to sue the government in order to protect these citizens. If the court does not stop the rule, the new requirements will start in January. Many people may lose access to the doctors and medicine that keep them healthy.