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:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

seq.]of the Social Security Act.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

from rape or incest.

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

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

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

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

      (1) Antepartum and postpartum care;

      (2) Delivery;

      (3) Cesarean section;

      (4) Newborn hospital care;

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

provider;

      (6) Prescription medications and laboratory tests;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

enhanced services.

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

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

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

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

     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

***

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

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

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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