Delayed Medicaid

Concord, NH: (Dec-27-07) Three New Hampshire residents filed a class action lawsuit against the State Health Department over delayed Medicaid services. The suit claimed that the department was not following federal law requiring it to make decisions about a person's Medicaid eligibility within 90 days unless there are unusual circumstances. Sources close to the case stated that the parties had reached a settlement, resolving the lawsuit. The settlement, which must still be approved by the court, would give the department 6 months to start making Medicaid decisions within 90 days or explain what unusual circumstance prevented a decision. The plaintiffs stated that the settlement is a victory for people with disabilities. [WCAX NEWS: DELAYED MEDICAID]