Rule kicks 200 off Medicaid

OLYMPIA – About 200 people have lost Medicaid coverage in Washington since a rule went into effect requiring people who receive taxpayer-supported health care prove they are U.S. citizens or legal immigrants.

There are 862,000 Medicaid clients in Washington, plus another 113,000 people receiving family planning services that face the citizenship requirements.

Critics of the new rule say the relatively low numbers of non-citizens found during the review show it was unnecessary.

“They’re really going to be hurting people born in this country,” said Tony Lee, advocacy director for the Fremont Public Association.