By: Cathy Levine, Executive Director, UHCAN Ohio

Great news! As of January 1, 2014, more immigrants living in Ohio who are here with legal documentation will be eligible for Medicaid just like citizen residents. Note: this does not change the ineligibility of persons without legal documents for Medicaid except for emergency Medicaid

Ohio has been one of the most restrictive states, denying Medicaid to legal residents who would otherwise be eligible for Medicaid – low income families, pregnant women, people with disabilities and seniors, simply because they are not citizens.  Federal law bars legal non-citizen residents for five years, but most states treat them like citizens after the five years. But not Ohio. The situation has put enormous stresses on families, and economic burdens on those health providers who treat people regardless of ability to pay, including hospitals and community health centers. Thus, this change is great news.

This change also applies to individuals who came to the U.S. as refugees or asylees and have used up their 7 years of Medicaid eligibility but have not yet become citizens.

In addition, pregnant women and children permanent residents are eligible without the five year waiting period as soon as they become permanent residents.  

The applicable rule is Ohio Administrative Code 5101:1-37-58.3 Medicaid: Non-Citizens.

Congratulations to Columbus Legal Aid attorney (and  UHCAN Ohio board member) Kate McGarvey and others for bringing the lawsuit which helped to bring about this change, as well as other health advocates who have pushed to eliminate this discriminatory barrier to Medicaid.