Bill Text: CT HB06587 | 2011 | General Assembly | Comm Sub
Bill Title: An Act Concerning The Department Of Social Services' Establishment Of A Basic Health Program.
Spectrum: Committee Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-03-28 - Favorable Change of Reference, Senate to Committee on Appropriations [HB06587 Detail]
Download: Connecticut-2011-HB06587-Comm_Sub.html
General Assembly |
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January Session, 2011 |
*_____HB06587HS_APP032311____* |
AN ACT CONCERNING THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES' ESTABLISHMENT OF A BASIC HEALTH PROGRAM.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
Section 1. Subsection (a) of section 17b-261 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(a) Medical assistance shall be provided for any otherwise eligible person whose income, including any available support from legally liable relatives and the income of the person's spouse or dependent child, is not more than one hundred forty-three per cent, pending approval of a federal waiver applied for pursuant to subsection (e) of this section, of the benefit amount paid to a person with no income under the temporary family assistance program in the appropriate region of residence and if such person is an institutionalized individual, as defined in Section 1917(c) of the Social Security Act, 42 USC 1396p(c), and has not made an assignment or transfer or other disposition of property for less than fair market value for the purpose of establishing eligibility for benefits or assistance under this section. Any such disposition shall be treated in accordance with Section 1917(c) of the Social Security Act, 42 USC 1396p(c). Any disposition of property made on behalf of an applicant or recipient or the spouse of an applicant or recipient by a guardian, conservator, person authorized to make such disposition pursuant to a power of attorney or other person so authorized by law shall be attributed to such applicant, recipient or spouse. A disposition of property ordered by a court shall be evaluated in accordance with the standards applied to any other such disposition for the purpose of determining eligibility. The commissioner shall establish the standards for eligibility for medical assistance at one hundred forty-three per cent of the benefit amount paid to a family unit of equal size with no income under the temporary family assistance program in the appropriate region of residence. Except as provided in section 17b-277, the medical assistance program shall provide coverage to persons under the age of nineteen with family income up to one hundred eighty-five per cent of the federal poverty level without an asset limit and to persons under the age of nineteen and their parents and needy caretaker relatives, who qualify for coverage under Section 1931 of the Social Security Act, with family income up to one hundred eighty-five per cent of the federal poverty level without an asset limit. Such levels shall be based on the regional differences in such benefit amount, if applicable, unless such levels based on regional differences are not in conformance with federal law. Any income in excess of the applicable amounts shall be applied as may be required by said federal law, and assistance shall be granted for the balance of the cost of authorized medical assistance. The Commissioner of Social Services shall provide applicants for assistance under this section, at the time of application, with a written statement advising them of (1) the effect of an assignment or transfer or other disposition of property on eligibility for benefits or assistance, (2) the effect that having income that exceeds the limits prescribed in this subsection will have with respect to program eligibility, and (3) the availability of, and eligibility for, services provided by the Nurturing Families Network established pursuant to section 17b-751b. Persons who are determined ineligible for assistance pursuant to this section shall be provided a written statement notifying such persons of their ineligibility and advising such persons of the availability of HUSKY Plan, Part B health insurance benefits. On and after January 1, 2014, the Commissioner of Social Services shall establish a basic health program in accordance with the Affordable Care Act. On and after January 1, 2014, all individuals under sixty-five years of age with family income up to two hundred per cent of the federal poverty level, as determined in accordance with Section 1331 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, P.L. 111-148, and who are ineligible for medical assistance pursuant to Title XIX of the Social Security Act, shall be eligible for medical assistance under a basic health program. Medical assistance provided through the basic health program shall include all benefits, limits on cost-sharing and other consumer safeguards that apply to medical assistance provided in accordance with Title XIX of the Social Security Act. Individuals enrolled in the basic health program shall include, but not be limited to, parents and other relative caregivers with incomes above one hundred thirty-three per cent of the federal poverty level, but not exceeding two hundred per cent of the federal poverty level as determined under Section 1331 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, P.L. 111-148, who would otherwise qualify for HUSKY Plan, Part A and individuals described in section 17b-257b. To the extent that federal funds received pursuant to the basic health program exceed the cost of medical assistance that would otherwise be provided to such enrollees pursuant to Title XIX of the Social Security Act, the excess of such federal funds shall be used to increase reimbursement rates for providers serving individuals receiving benefits pursuant to this section. The Commissioner of Social Services shall take all necessary actions to maximize federal funding received in connection with the establishment of a basic health program.
Sec. 2. (NEW) (Effective from passage) There is established an account to be known as the "basic health program account" which shall be a separate, nonlapsing account within the General Fund. The account shall contain any moneys required by law to be deposited in the account. Moneys in the account shall be expended by the Commissioner of Social Services for the purposes of operating a basic health program in conformance with Section 1331 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, P.L. 111-148.
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections: | ||
Section 1 |
from passage |
17b-261(a) |
Sec. 2 |
from passage |
New section |
HS |
Joint Favorable Subst. C/R |
APP |