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Lawsuit Argues Medicaid Evaluations Hurt Disabled

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Family members of developmentally disabled New Mexicans suing the state say a Medicaid assessment system puts recipients of services at risk.

The Albuquerque Journal reports attorneys for eight families asked a judge Wednesday to halt a new method for evaluating recipients to determine their level of services, which can include 24-hour residential care as well as occupational and speech therapy.

The lawsuit was filed in January to restore the services lost by individuals and stop Gov. Susana Martinez's administration from continuing with changes meant to control costs.

The governor's office says the changes were to help people off waiting lists for services.

Officials say the program for the developmentally disabled has a waiting list of 6,200.

Attorneys for the state Health Department say the evaluation system doesn't put disabled clients at risk.