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Judge to Reconsider Medicaid Cuts

By Kelley Weiss

Kansas City, MO – An appeals court ruling could help disabled Missourians get coverage reinstated for medical equipment revoked because of Medicaid cuts. KCUR's Kelley Weiss reports.

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Seven disabled Medicaid patients sued the state last September after sweeping health cuts left them without coverage for certain medical equipment. The plaintiffs wanted an injunction on the selective cuts that eliminated coverage for wheelchair batteries, hospital beds and respiratory equipment accessories but a judge denied the request. Yesterday, a court of appeals ruled that the judge must reconsider the case. Plaintiff's attorney, Tom Kennedy, says the court is sending the case back to the judge because the state can't have arbitrary rules on medical equipment coverage.

Tom Kennedy: "They do say very clearly that the Missouri plan is in conflict with the federal supremacy clause. The supremacy clause says that states can't pass laws that are inconsistent with federal laws."

Kennedy says he wants to appear before the judge again as soon as possible to have the cuts reinstated but a date has not yet been set.

Funding for health care coverage on KCUR has been provided by the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City.

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