Jeff Jackson discusses North Carolina’s Medicaid lawsuit in interview with WWAY
RALEIGH, NC (WWAY) — North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson said the state is suing over new federal Medicaid rules that he argues could cause people with serious medical conditions to lose their health coverage.
During an interview with WWAY, Jackson said the lawsuit challenges how federal officials are implementing new Medicaid work requirements approved by Congress. He said the lawsuit does not seek to eliminate work requirements but instead focuses on protections for people with severe illnesses.
“This lawsuit is not designed to oppose work requirements,” Jackson said. “Congress pays for Medicaid. They can create the conditions for eligibility.”
Jackson said the state contends the federal Medicaid agency adopted rules that narrow medical exemptions intended to protect people with serious health conditions, including cancer, ALS, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and end-stage renal failure.
According to Jackson, patients receiving treatment could risk losing Medicaid coverage if they are unable to meet new documentation requirements or qualify for medical exemptions under the new rules.
“The real-world impact here is really straightforward,” Jackson said. “You are actively getting chemotherapy. Now, these new rules go into place. For whatever reason, you aren’t able to meet those new rules… You lose your Medicaid. You lose your health insurance. Now you can no longer pay for chemotherapy.”
Jackson said the lawsuit argues the rules could affect tens of thousands of North Carolinians with serious illnesses.
He also said the changes would place additional administrative responsibilities on physicians, hospitals and clinics by requiring them to determine whether patients qualify for medical exemptions.
“This is going to put a huge burden on doctors and hospitals,” Jackson said, adding that creating a new administrative process could cost taxpayers millions of dollars.
Jackson said time is a factor because the new federal rules are scheduled to take effect later this year, while North Carolina has already begun implementing what he described as Congress’ original requirements.
The attorney general said the state has asked the court to issue a preliminary injunction while the lawsuit moves forward.
“We’re asking the court to move fast,” Jackson said. “We need you to treat this as an emergency.”
If the lawsuit succeeds, Jackson said the state wants the federal government to revert to the standards established by Congress, which he said include work requirements while maintaining protections for people with the most serious medical conditions.
