澳彩开奖

A federal judge granted relief to residents across Tennessee today by ordering the state to provide hearings to residents whose Medicaid applications have been unreasonably delayed.

U.S. District Court Judge Todd Campbell鈥檚 ruling granted a preliminary injunction sought by the 澳彩开奖, the Tennessee Justice Center and the National Health Law Project. Campbell also certified the litigation as a class action lawsuit, meaning that it applies to all people in Tennessee who have waited months for a determination on their applications for the program, TennCare.聽

The court鈥檚 order takes immediate effect.

鈥淭his is a profound victory for all of Tennessee,鈥� said Sara Zampierin, 澳彩开奖 staff attorney. 鈥淭he court鈥檚 ruling today will require TennCare to do their job and ensure that the people who have been stuck waiting for a decision for months will be able to finally receive the health care they deserve.鈥澛�

The court rejected the state鈥檚 attempt to blame the federal government for its own failings, ruling instead that the state is responsible for its administration of the TennCare program and noting that 鈥渋f a state decides to participate in the Medicaid program, it is required to ensure that applications are adjudicated reasonably promptly.鈥�

The court further rejected the state鈥檚 claim that it has no 鈥渂acklogs,鈥� noting that the existence of this lawsuit proved that many people are suffering.

The court ordered that a fair hearing be provided to all class members who have proof of application and request such a hearing. The hearings will be held within 45 days, unless the person鈥檚 eligibility is based on a disability, in which case the state will have 90 days to conduct the hearing.聽