Medicaid patients take their case to court.

Lawsuits to preserve medical benefits for poor and elderly Oklahomans are moving forward.<br><br>About 80,000 people are slated for steep Medicaid cuts, some are already in place.<br><br>Some people have

Saturday, October 5th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Lawsuits to preserve medical benefits for poor and elderly Oklahomans are moving forward.

About 80,000 people are slated for steep Medicaid cuts, some are already in place.

Some people have already seen severe cuts in prescription benefits. Before October 1st, the state didn't place limits on the number of prescriptions it would cover, now patients are covered only for up to five.

Steven Dow/Community Action Project, "Their recklessness with respect to not even beginning to appreciate the effect that their actions have on the very people that they are there to serve is something that they have no credibility as an agency."

A federal judge heard testimony today from medicaid recipients who say they could be forced into nursing homes where their medications would be covered.