County staff warn H.R.1 Medicaid changes could limit access and reduce retroactive coverage

Social Services Director Amy Miller told the Yates County Human Services Committee that changes tied to H.R.1 will separate Medicaid enrollment from public-assistance intake, forcing applicants to apply for Medicaid through a designated "assister" rather than at the county office. Miller warned this could reduce access to health coverage, saying, "There is no doubt that this will mean that people who need health insurance will likely not get it, because it will be harder to do." She also described operational strains, noting, "If they call now, sometimes they could be on hold for 2 hours to get through to their assister."