2023 -- H 5391

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LC001167

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- HEALTH CARE FOR ELDERLY AND DISABLED

RESIDENTS ACT

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Potter, Tanzi, Alzate, Giraldo, Voas, Cortvriend, Biah,
Sanchez, Morales, and McNamara

     Date Introduced: February 03, 2023

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 40-8.5-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 40-8.5 entitled "Health Care

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for Elderly and Disabled Residents Act" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     40-8.5-1. Categorically needy medical assistance coverage.

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     (a) The department of human services is hereby authorized and directed to amend its Title

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XIX state plan to provide for categorically needy medical assistance coverage as permitted pursuant

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to Title XIX of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1396 et seq., as amended, to individuals who

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are sixty-five (65) years or older or are disabled, as determined under § 1614(a)(3) of the Social

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Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1382c(a)(3), as amended, whose income does not exceed one hundred

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percent (100%) one hundred eighty percent (180%) of the federal poverty level (as revised

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annually) applicable to the individual’s family size, and whose resources do not exceed four

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thousand dollars ($4,000) per individual, or six thousand dollars ($6,000) per couple. The

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department shall provide medical assistance coverage to such elderly or disabled persons in the

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same amount, duration, and scope as provided to other categorically needy persons under the state’s

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Title XIX state plan.

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     (b) The department of human services is hereby authorized and directed to amend its Title

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XIX state plan to provide for categorically needy medical assistance coverage as permitted pursuant

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to Title XIX of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1396 et seq., as amended, to individuals who

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are sixty-five (65) years or older as determined under § 1614(a)(3) of the Social Security Act, 42

 

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U.S.C. § 1382c(a)(3), as amended, whose income does not exceed one hundred percent (100%) of

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the federal poverty level (as revised annually) applicable to the individual's family size, and whose

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resources do not exceed four thousand dollars ($4,000) per individual, or six thousand dollars

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($6,000) per couple. The department shall provide medical assistance coverage to such elderly

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persons in the same amount, duration, and scope as provided to other categorically needy persons

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under the state's Title XIX state plan.

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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 ELDERLY AND DISABLED

RESIDENTS ACT

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     This act would increase the income limits for disabled individuals to one hundred eighty

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percent of the federal poverty level to qualify for medical assistance coverage.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC001167

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