Washington suing feds over immigrant kids' health coverage

The Associated Press

OLYMPIA, Wash. Washington is suing the federal government over a new rule that makes it tougher to get medical coverage for infants born in the U.S. to illegal immigrants.

Governor Gregoire said the policy is immoral, adds to the cost of medical care and clearly violates the infants' constitutional rights.

The state sued the Department of Health and Human Services in U.S. District Court in Tacoma today.

A new federal regulation requires the state to withhold Medicaid coverage of the newborns until proof of citizenship is processed and approved. A similar requirement exists for adult and child immigrants who seek medical coverage.