2014 -- H 7472

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LC004308

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- HEALTHCARE FOR

CHILDREN AND PREGNANT WOMEN

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Finn, Kazarian, Williams, Ajello, and Blazejewski

     Date Introduced: February 12, 2014

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 42-12.3-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-12.3 entitled "Health

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Care for Children and Pregnant Women" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     42-12.3-3. Medical assistance expansion for pregnant women/RIte Start. -- (a) The

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director of the department of human services is authorized to amend its title XIX state plan

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pursuant to title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide Medicaid coverage through expanded

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family income disregards for pregnant women whose family income levels are between one

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hundred eighty-five percent (185%) and two hundred fifty percent (250%) of the federal poverty

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level. The department is further authorized to promulgate any regulations necessary and in accord

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with title XIX —42 U.S.C. section 1396 et seq.]of the Social Security Act to implement said state

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plan amendment. The services shall be in accord with title XIX —42 U.S.C. section 1396 et

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seq.]of the Social Security Act.

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      (b) The director of the department of human services is authorized and directed to

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establish a payor of last resort program to cover prenatal, delivery and postpartum care. The

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program shall cover the cost of maternity care for any woman who lacks health insurance

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coverage for maternity care and who is not eligible for medical assistance under title XIX —42

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U.S.C. section 1396 et seq.]of the Social Security Act including but not limited to a non-citizen

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pregnant woman lawfully admitted for permanent residence on or after August 22, 1996, without

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regard to the availability of federal financial participation, provided such pregnant woman

 

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satisfies all other eligibility requirements. The director shall promulgate regulations to implement

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this program. Such regulations shall include specific eligibility criteria; the scope of services to be

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covered; procedures for administration and service delivery; referrals for non-covered services;

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outreach; and public education. Excluded services under this paragraph will include, but not be

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limited to, induced abortion except to prevent the death of the mother abortion, except when the

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procedure is necessary to preserve the life of the mother, or in the case of pregnancies resulting

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from rape or incest.

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      (c) The department of human services may enter into cooperative agreements with the

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department of health and/or other state agencies to provide services to individuals eligible for

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services under paragraphs (a) and (b) above.

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      (d) The following services shall be provided through the program:

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      (1) Antepartum and postpartum care;

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      (2) Delivery;

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      (3) Cesarean section;

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      (4) Newborn hospital care;

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      (5) Inpatient transportation from one hospital to another when authorized by a medical

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provider;

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      (6) Prescription medications and laboratory tests;

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      (e) The department of human services shall provide enhanced services, as appropriate, to

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pregnant women as defined in paragraphs (a) and (b), as well as to other pregnant women eligible

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for medical assistance. These services shall include: care coordination, nutrition and social

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service counseling, high risk obstetrical care, childbirth and parenting preparation programs,

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smoking cessation programs, outpatient counseling for drug-alcohol use, interpreter services,

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mental health services, and home visitation. The provision of enhanced services is subject to

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available appropriations. In the event that appropriations are not adequate for the provision of

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these services, the department has the authority to limit the amount, scope and duration of these

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enhanced services.

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      (f) The department of human services shall provide for extended family planning

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services for up to twenty-four (24) months postpartum. These services shall be available to

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women who have been determined eligible for RIte Start or for medical assistance under title XIX

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—42 U.S.C. section 1396 et seq.]of the social security act.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- HEALTHCARE FOR

CHILDREN AND PREGNANT WOMEN

***

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     This act would provide funding, under the RIte Start Program, for abortions necessary to

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preserve the life of the mother, or in the case of pregnancies as the result of rape or incest.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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