2017 -- H 6289

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LC002826

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Lima, Blazejewski, Keable, Handy, and Tanzi

     Date Introduced: June 07, 2017

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 40-8-17 of the General Laws in Chapter 40-8 entitled "Medical

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Assistance" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     40-8-17. Waiver request.

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     (a) Formation. The executive office of health and human services, is directed and

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authorized to apply for and obtain any necessary waiver(s), waiver amendment(s) and/or state

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plan amendments from the secretary of the United States department of health and human

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services, including, but not limited to, an extension of the section 1115(a) demonstration waiver

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amended, as appropriate, and renamed to reflect the state's effort to coordinate all publicly

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financed healthcare. The secretary of the office shall ensure that the state's health and human

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services departments and the people and communities they serve in the Medicaid program shall

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have the opportunity to contribute to and collaborate in the formulation of any request for a new

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waiver, waiver extension and/or state plan amendment(s). Any such actions shall: (1) continue

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efforts to rebalance the system of long-term services and supports by assisting people in obtaining

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care in the most appropriate and least restrictive setting; (2) pursue further utilization of care

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management models that promote preventive care, offer a health home, and provide an integrated

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system of services; (3) use smart payments and purchasing to finance and support Medicaid

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initiatives that fill gaps in the integrated system of care; and (4) recognize and assure access to

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non-medical services and supports, such as peer navigation and employment and housing

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stabilization services, that are essential for optimizing a person's health, wellness and safety and

 

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that reduce or delay the need for long-term services and supports; (5) assure that individuals who

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are homeless have access to supportive housing services; (6) support the development of mobile

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health services to help maintain the physical and mental health of individuals who are homeless;

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and (7) continue efforts to improve access to mental and behavioral healthcare services, with a

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focus on initiatives that reduce emergency department utilization, integrate mental and behavioral

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healthcare into primary care settings, and promote team-based models of care.

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     (b) Effective July 1, 2009, any provision presently in effect in the Rhode Island General

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Laws where the executive office of health and human services, is authorized to apply for and

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obtain any necessary waiver(s), waiver amendment(s) and/or state plan amendment(s) for the

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purpose of providing medical assistance to recipients, shall authorize the executive office of

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health and human services, to proceed with appropriate category changes in accordance with the

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special terms and conditions of the Rhode Island Global Consumer Choice Compact section

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1115(a) Demonstration Waiver or any extension thereof, as amended and/or renamed under the

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authority provided in 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

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     This act would direct and authorize the executive office of health and human services to

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apply for any necessary waivers, waiver amendments, and state plan amendments to assure the

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homeless have access to supportive housing services, health services and mental and behavioral

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healthcare services.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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