Ohio will delay enforcement of new federal proof-of-citizenship requirements for Medicaid beneficiaries and applicants because state officials have not had adequate time to inform beneficiaries who might lose coverage, the AP/Cincinnati Enquirer reports (Leingang, AP/Cincinnati Enquirer, 6/22). Under the requirements, which President Bush enacted in February, individuals who seek Medicaid benefits as of July 1 will have to provide proof of U.S. citizenship -- such as a birth certificate, passport or another form of identification. The requirements seek to ensure that only legal residents receive Medicaid benefits (Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, 6/7). Jon Allen, a spokesperson for the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, said the state will delay enforcement of the requirements until Oct. 1 because the federal government did not release guidelines until last week. He said that the state will use the additional time to print new Medicaid guidelines, inform beneficiaries about the requirements and train employees throughout the state on the requirements. "We're going to be working as fast as we can, but the reality is we're in a difficult situation," Allen said. The state does not have an estimate of the number of Ohio Medicaid beneficiaries who are undocumented immigrants. According to the AP/Enquirer, California announced similar plans to delay enforcement of the new rules earlier this month (AP/Cincinnati Enquirer, 6/22).