Fact Check: All states must legally provide emergency Medicaid services to non-U. S. citizens, including to those who are lawfully present but have not yet met a five-year wait to apply for Medicaid.

Fact Check: "All states must legally provide emergency Medicaid services to non-U.S. citizens, including to those who are lawfully present but have not yet met a five-year wait to apply for Medicaid."

What We Know

Emergency Medicaid services are mandated by federal law to be provided to non-citizens who would qualify for full Medicaid benefits but for their immigration status. This includes individuals who are unauthorized immigrants and those who are legally present but subject to a five-year waiting period for full benefits. According to the MACPAC, states must cover limited emergency medical services for non-citizens, including those who are unauthorized, and this requirement applies to individuals who meet income and eligibility criteria.

Lawfully present immigrants, such as children and pregnant women, can be eligible for Medicaid without the five-year waiting period, as states have the option to provide coverage during this time. As of 2017, 31 states had adopted this option for children, and 23 for pregnant women (MACPAC). Furthermore, the Healthcare.gov website clarifies that while many qualified non-citizens must wait five years after obtaining their immigration status to access Medicaid, there are exceptions for specific groups.

Analysis

The claim that "all states must legally provide emergency Medicaid services to non-U.S. citizens" is partially true. While federal law requires states to provide emergency Medicaid services to non-citizens who would otherwise qualify for full benefits, this does not extend to all non-citizens universally. For instance, unauthorized immigrants can receive emergency services, but non-qualified aliens, such as tourists or students, do not qualify for any Medicaid benefits (MACPAC).

The assertion that states must provide emergency services to "lawfully present" individuals without a five-year wait is also nuanced. While it is true that certain categories of lawfully present immigrants, such as children and pregnant women, can receive Medicaid without waiting, this is not universally applicable to all lawfully present immigrants. Many must still adhere to the five-year waiting period before they can access full Medicaid benefits (Healthcare.gov, MACPAC).

The sources used in this analysis are credible, with the MACPAC being a nonpartisan agency that provides analysis and policy options to Congress on Medicaid and CHIP, and Healthcare.gov being the official U.S. government website for health insurance. Both sources provide reliable information regarding Medicaid eligibility and immigrant status.

Conclusion

The claim is Partially True. While it is accurate that emergency Medicaid services must be provided to certain non-citizens, including unauthorized immigrants, the specifics of eligibility vary significantly based on immigration status. Lawfully present immigrants may not universally receive these services without meeting the five-year waiting period, depending on their specific circumstances and state policies.

Sources

1. Coverage for lawfully present immigrants
2. Non-citizens
3. Eligibility for Non-Citizens in Medicaid and CHIP
4. Implementation Guide: Citizenship and non-citizen eligibility
5. immigration status requirements - Maryland Department of Health
6. How States Verify Citizenship and Immigration Status in Medicaid
7. Medical Assistance Programs for Immigrants in Various States