In a series of rulings, federal judges are limiting the ability of poor people to turn to the courts to fight for Medicaid benefits to which they believe they are entitled.
The judges, following guidance from the Supreme Court, are ruling that Medicaid recipients cannot use the courts to enforce a provision of the law that says they should have the same access to health care services as "the general population."
While the federal courts are still full of Medicaid litigation, it is proving more difficult for beneficiaries to prevail.
Medicaid provides health insurance to more than 50 million low-income people. The court decisions are raising questions about what it means to have health insurance, if the terms of such coverage cannot be enforced.
NYT
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/15/politics/politicsspecial1/15medicaid.html?ex=1281758400&en=b320666cb76983e8&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss