PRESS
RELEASE
April
27, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Sharon Kayne
Communications Director, New Mexico Voices for Children
505-244-9505 ext. 30 (p), 505-401-8709 (c), skayne@nmvoices.org
Millions
of Eligible Americans May Lose Medicaid Benefits
ALBUQUERQUE-People
applying for Medicaid will have to show a birth certificate
or passport as proof of citizenship beginning July 1. That's
because of an amendment to the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005
that was intended to deny Medicaid assistance to undocumented
immigrants. But the measure will have unintended consequences
for many U.S. citizens who are eligible for the health care
program.
"The people most harmed by this will be Native Americans
who were born at home and don't have a hospital birth certificate.
Their proof of tribal affiliation won't be accepted as proof
of citizenship," said Sharon Kayne, Communications Director
for New Mexico Voices for Children. "It also puts a road
block up for anyone who has lost their original birth certificate.
When you have limited resources just to apply for these kinds
of programs is hard enough. The more requirements the government
puts in place, the more people will be left behind."
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities estimates that some
1.7 million adults and 2.9 million children who are eligible
for Medicaid do not have ready access to their birth certificates.
Few people who qualify for Medicaid are likely to have the money
to apply for a passport, which is an expensive and lengthy process.
"In New Mexico, we've worked so hard to get families enrolled
who are eligible. This will set our progress back," said
Kayne
New Mexico Senator Jeff Bingaman has introduced a bill to repeal
the amendment - S 2305 - but it hasn't seen much movement since
being introduced this spring.
New
Mexico Voices for Children is a progressive nonprofit organization
advocating for policies to improve the health and well-being
of New Mexico's children, families and communities.
2340 Alamo SE, Suite 120, Albuquerque, NM 97106; 505-244-9505
(p), 505-244-9509 (f) www.nmvoices.org
