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2000 Session

Budget Amendments - HB30 (Member Request)

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Chief Patron: Melvin
JCHC-Expand Medicaid Eligibility for Low-Income Elderly & Disabled

Item 319 #16h

Item 319 #16h

First Year - FY2001 Second Year - FY2002
Health And Human Resources
Medical Assistance Services, Department of FY2001 $5,300,000 FY2002 $5,600,000 GF
FY2001 $5,700,000 FY2002 $6,000,000 NGF

Language
Page 244, line 45, strike "$2,849,830,824" and insert "$2,860,830,824".
Page 244, line 45, strike "$2,896,793,218" and insert "$2,908,393,218".
Page 250, after line 8, insert:
"X Out of this appropriation, $5,300,000 the first year from the general fund and $5,700,000 from the federal trust fund, and $5,600,000 the second year from the general fund and $6,000,000 from the federal trust fund, is provided to add the category of eligibility, as described in Section 1902(m) of the Social Security Act (42 USC§1396a(m)), for aged and disabled individuals with income levels up to 80 percent of the federal poverty line.  The Department shall amend the State Plan for Medical Assistance to add this category of eligibility."
“Out of this appropriation, $5,300,000 from the general fund and $5,700,000 from the federal trust fund in the first year, and $5,600,000 from the general fund and $6,000,000 from the federal trust fund in the second year is provided to add the category of eligibility, as described in Section 1902(m) of the Social Security Act (42 USC§1396a(m)), for aged and disabled individuals with income levels up to 80 percent of the federal poverty line.  The Department shall amend the State Plan for Medical Assistance to add this category of eligibility.”


Explanation
(This amendment provides funding and directs the Department of Medical Assistance Services to establish a new category of Medicaid eligibility for the aged and disabled with incomes up to 80 percent of the federal poverty line. Currently, to be eligible for Medicaid, these persons must “spend down” to approximately 37 percent of the federal poverty line, which approximates an annual income of $3,049 for an individual or $4,092 for a family of two. This amendment would set the “qualifying” level for Medicaid for aged and disabled persons at $6,592 for an individual and $8,848 for a family of two. It is estimated that approximately 5,450 aged and disabled persons would become eligible for Medicaid if this new category of eligibility is approved. This is a recommendation of the Joint Commission on Health Care.)