U.S. Court Rules Florida Medicaid Must Cover All Medically Necessary Services for Children

A U.S. district court permanently enjoins Florida from denying coverage for incontinence diapers to EPSDT-eligible children, ruling that where federal law requires the provision of medically necessary services to children on Medicaid, the state cannot refuse to provide those services, even if the services are not in the state's Medicaid plan. Smith v. Benson (S.Dist.Fla., No. 09-21543-CIV-GOLD/MCALILEY, Jan. 27, 2010).

Receipt of Medicaid Does Not Compromise Local Assistance

The Supreme Court of New Hampshire rules that a person who receives Medicaid is not automatically precluded from receiving local financial assistance for electric and gas subsidies. Smith v. City of Franklin (N.H., No. 2009-091, Jan. 14, 2010).

Guardians Not Entitled to Reimbursement for Expenses Incurred Lobbying for Rights of People with Special Needs

The Court of Appeals of Washington rules that two professional guardians are not entitled to reimbursement for expenses they incurred participating in community outreach designed to prevent the closing of state residential treatment facilities and lobbying Congress on behalf of people with special needs. In Matter of the Guardianship of Lamb (Wash. App., No. 62711-2-I, Dec. 21, 2009).