2016 -- S 2151

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LC003938

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- HEALTH CARE FOR FAMILIES

     

     Introduced By: Senators Lynch Prata, Doyle, and Gallo

     Date Introduced: January 21, 2016

     Referred To: Senate Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 40-8.4 of the General Laws entitled "Health Care For Families" is

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hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     40-8.4-4.1. Eligibility for medicare savings programs. – Notwithstanding the

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provisions of any general or public law to the contrary, the secretary of the executive office of

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health and human services shall increase income disregards used to determine eligibility by the

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department of human services for the federal qualified Medicare beneficiary, the specified low-

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income Medicare beneficiary and the qualifying individual programs, administered in accordance

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with the provisions of 42 U.S.C. § 1396d(p), by an amount that equalizes the income levels used

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to determine eligibility for said programs to income levels at or below one hundred eighty-five

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percent (185%) of the federal poverty level. Provided, further, the secretary of the executive

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office of health and human services shall not apply an asset test for eligibility under the Medicare

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savings program and shall submit any Medicaid state plan amendment necessary to implement

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the provisions of this section.

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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 HUMAN SERVICES -- HEALTH CARE FOR FAMILIES

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     This act would expand the income disregards or other methodology for parents or relative

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caretakers eligible for medical assistance under this chapter to income levels that are below one

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hundred eighty-five percent (185%) of the federal poverty level.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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