Friday, September 14, 2012

Federal court rejects Maine's Medicaid lawsuit



PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - A federal appeals court has rejected Maine's lawsuit demanding swift action from the federal government on its Aug. 1 request to eliminate Medicaid coverage for more than 20,000 residents.

The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston on Thursday declared the lawsuit premature because the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has 90 days - until Nov. 1 - to consider Maine's waiver request. The ruling came a little more than a week after the state sought an injunction.

The Maine Legislature voted to eliminate coverage for parents with incomes between 100 percent and 133 percent of the federal poverty level, along with 19- and 20-year-olds, and seniors and disabled people in the Medicare Savings Program.

The state originally asked the government for a ruling by Sept. 1.

Voting is beautiful, be beautiful ~ vote.©

No comments: