New Federal Medicaid Rules Require Verification of United States Citizenship
October 1, 2006
On July 12, 2006, the Department of Health and Human Services issued an Interim Final Rule in the Federal Register, implementing an amendment made to the Medicaid statute by the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA) that, for the first time, requires United States citizens applying for or renewing Medicaid coverage to provide “satisfactory documentary evidence of their citizenship.” Read More
New York’s Southern District Provides Relief to Battered Immigrants
October 1, 2006
“It is not the policy of the United States, nor of the State of New York, to leave destitute the battered immigrant wives and children of lawful U.S. residents just because their abusive husbands are no longer supporting them or providing a basis for obtaining aid.” Read More
New Ruling Emphasizes “Other Source” Evidence
October 1, 2006
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has issued a new Social Security Ruling (SSR 06-03p) entitled “Considering Opinions and Other Evidence From Sources Who Are Not ‘Acceptable Medical Sources’ in Disability Claims; Considering Decisions on Disability by Other Governmental and Nongovernmental Agencies.” Read More
The Domestic Violence Debate in Ghana
October 1, 2006
Ghana, situated on the west coast of Africa, is one of the least developed countries in the world. Ghana is home to over 21 million people, with well over 50% being women. According to Mr. Adolf Awuku, Coordinator of Domestic Violence Coalition, one out of every three women in Ghana has suffered some form of domestic violence with 90% of the perpetrators being men. Read More
New Immune System Regulations Proposed
October 1, 2006
Following an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) in 2003 allowing preliminary input into its process, as well as a series of conferences in a few cities around the country, SSA has proposed changes to the Immune System Disorders listing, including the listing for HIV disease. Read More
Update on Domestic Violence Survivors and Homestead Exemptions
Recent Social Security Administration Policy Revisions
October 1, 2006
In response to advocacy by Empire Justice Center on behalf of domestic violence survivors who were facing complicated bureaucratic hurdles when they were forced to flee their homes to escape abuse, the Social Security Administration (SSA) recently revised several sections of its policy directives (Program Operating Manual or POMS). Read More
Rural Counties Lead the State in the Recovery of Birthing Expenses
Preferring Medicaid Cost Recovery over Strengthening Families
October 1, 2006
An analysis of state data confirms what many advocates have long suspected – the odds are that fathers of children born out of wedlock in upstate rural areas are more likely to be sued by a local social services district to recover birthing expenses, also known as confinement costs, than their counterparts in urban areas, particularly downstate. Read More
New Law Provides Assigned Counsel in Certain Supreme Court Proceedings
October 1, 2006
Under Family Court Act §262, certain litigants are entitled to assigned counsel in a myriad of Family Court proceedings including, but not limited to, family offense, custody and visitation, paternity establishment, child welfare, and contempt matters. Read More
New Department of Health Regulation Provides Meaningful Access for Limited English Proficient Patients
October 1, 2006
Hospitals are required to provide language assistance to limited-English-proficient (LEP) patients under state law and Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination in access to services based on national origin. Last year, the New York State Department of Health (DOH) established higher standards for hospitals' communication with LEP individuals and patients who are hearing and vision impaired. Read More
Domestic Violence Legal Program Expands and Enhances Services
October 1, 2006
Thanks to funding received from the New York State Senate, the Empire Justice Center is pleased to announce the expansion and enhancement of legal technical assistance and training to the civil legal services community and other domestic violence-related service providers outside of New York City. Read More
New York Expands Mandatory Medicaid Managed Care to Include SSI Recipients
October 1, 2006
On September 29, 2006, New York State received formal approval from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for extension of its Medicaid Managed Care program and implementation of a new Federal-State Health Reform Partnership. Read More
