MEDICAID RULING

On March 2, U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple ordered Missouri to reinstate coverage for durable medical equipment under the Medicaid program. Medicaid cuts championed by Republicans in 2005 eliminated coverage for some durable medical equipment but allowed it in other cases. Although states aren’t required to provide the equipment, Whipple said the state violated federal Medicaid rules by not setting a reasonable standard explaining why some equipment is covered while other equipment isn’t.