2017 -- S 0331

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LC000870

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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: Senators Calkin, Goldin, Sosnowski, Miller, and Crowley

     Date Introduced: February 16, 2017

     Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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

Assistance" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     40-8-17. Waiver request.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

authority provided in this section.

     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

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

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

healthcare services.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC000870

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