On July 1st, 2006, federal legislation was passed reauthorizing Medicaid to require proof of citizenship, for those wishing coverage. Changes to Medicaid regulation 435.406 affect a variety of stakeholders. This exploratory paper will look at the changes to the regulation and how these changes affect legal immigrants, illegal immigrants, healthcare organizations, and the general public, both locally, here in the state of Massachusetts, and nationally. The social problem that this legislature was intended to address will be discussed, as well. The benefits and disadvantages, strengths and weaknesses, of this new legislation will be analyzed. What feasible strategies and interventions might improve the policy's response to the needs of families being served or left out, by this change, will be explored. Those who benefit from this change, and those who are disadvantaged by it will be identified, as well as whose voice dominated on this particular issue of immigration reform, will be noted. Lastly, this paper will discuss who might support the policy recommendations and who might resist the implementation of these changes and strategies for improving effective and efficient implementation.
             Changes to Medicaid Regulation 435.406
             On July 1st, 2006, federal legislation was passed reauthorizing Medicaid to require proof of citizenship, for those wishing coverage. Changes to Medicaid regulation 435.406 affect a variety of stakeholders. This exploratory paper will look at the changes to the regulation and how these changes affect legal immigrants, illegal immigrants, healthcare organizations, and the general public, both locally, here in the state of Massachusetts, and nationally. The social problem that this legislature was intended to address will be discussed, as well. The benefits and disadvantages, strengths and weaknesses, of this new legislation will be analyzed. What feasible strategies and interventions might impr...