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2022 Session

Budget Amendments - SB29 (Floor Approved)

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Task Force on Eligibility Redetermination (language only)

Item 313 #5s

Item 313 #5s

Health and Human Resources
Department of Medical Assistance Services

Language

Page 160, after line 18, insert:

"PPPPPP.1. The Secretary of Health and Human Resources shall establish a Task Force on Eligibility Redetermination to ensure that the Commonwealth redetermines eligibility for Medicaid in the most efficient and prudent manner possible to meet the unwinding requirement associated with the end of the federal Public Health Emergency and the provisions of the maintenance of eligibility requirement in Medicaid pursuant to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (P.L. 166-127).  The Task Force shall include representatives from the Department of Medical Assistance Services, the Department of Social Services, the Department of Planning and Budget, and staff from the House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees.  The Task Force shall: (i) assess the current status of the shift of eligibility for individuals to the appropriate aid category that was assumed in the November 2021 forecast; (ii) evaluate the current plan, including the timeline, of the Department of Medical Assistance Services and the local departments of social services to redetermine Medicaid eligibility in the most efficient manner after the expiration of the maintenance of eligibility requirements; (iii) assess the resources and operational capabilities of the agencies to handle the increased workload efficiently; and (iv) make recommendations as appropriate to improve the unwinding process until its conclusion.

2. At the direction of the Secretary of Health and Human Resources, the Department of Medical Assistance Services is authorized to utilize federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to help address operational challenges in addressing eligibility redeterminations for Medicaid that may include providing additional funds to support overtime costs at local departments of social services and/or issuing emergency contracts to hire contractors to assist in the efforts.

3. The Secretary shall provide a preliminary update to the Governor and the Chairs of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees within 30 days of the effective date of this Act."



Explanation

(This amendment directs the Secretary of Health and Human Resources to establish a Task Force on Eligibility Redetermination to evaluate the Commonwealth's plan for eligibility redetermination that will result due to the end of the federal Public Health Emergency and the expiration of the maintenance of eligibility requirements in Medicaid pursuant to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (P.L. 166-127).)