COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) _ A federal judge has ordered Ohio officials to reinstate Medicaid benefits for people in a lawsuit, while denying a request to expand such relief to others being terminated from the program.
 
       The decision Thursday comes in a case involving how Ohio “re-determines'' the eligibility of Medicaid recipients.
 
       The Legal Aid Society of Columbus sued the state's Medicaid director on behalf of several individuals and two nonprofits.
 
       The lawsuit claims individuals' Medicaid benefits were terminated or put at risk after the state failed to follow federal law and Medicaid regulations. Among other issues, the legal group argues Ohio failed to conduct certain renewal procedures and provide adequate notice for terminating coverage.
 
       An Ohio Medicaid spokesman says it respects the court's decision and is in the process of complying with the order.