The Kaiser Family Foundation reports that since January, when Georgia began requiring families to produce documents of their income (pay stub, W-2 form, income tax return), many Hispanic children in Georgia have been denied Medicaid coverage because their parents cannot provide the required documentation.

Under the previous system, Georgians applying for Medicaid self-declared their income status to begin receiving benefits while the state verified their eligibility. The new policy does not apply to pregnant women and newborns, who can receive immediate prenatal and postnatal care without waiting for eligibility verification.

Diane Dunston, a pediatrician who practices at the Athens Neighborhood Health Center, said, "Many of the families are very afraid and confused," adding, "They end up not getting preventive care and waiting until the person gets very sick" (Augusta Chronicle, 6/19).

On July 1 another new Medicaid rule goes into effect -- for the entire nation. Eligible beneficiaries will be required to show a passport or birth certificate to verify their status. Note, when I renewed my passport recently it cost me $15 for the photos and $67 for the renewal fee. Can Medicaid families afford that? A National Mental Health Association action alert says 49 million people could be adversely affected, and many could lose Medicaid coverage because they cannot produce a passport or birth certificate.