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Suit Claims MassHealth Violated Disabilities Act

Disabled recipients of MassHealth are suing the state's Medicaid program, claiming it has failed to provide adequate communication options.

In a lawsuit filed in federal court Tuesday six MassHealth recipients who are either blind, deaf, or have other disabilities allege the agency violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by not providing services they needed to participate in the program.

The lawsuit claims the agency has failed to provide Braille or electronic forms that can be filled out without assistance, offer materials in American Sign Language, or list a phone number for the hearing impaired.

Some of the plaintiffs say these problems have caused them to miss filing deadlines and lose benefits.

A spokeswoman for the Office of Health and Human Services said officials are still reviewing the suit and could not comment.

This program aired on July 26, 2011. The audio for this program is not available.

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