2022 -- H 7484

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LC004539

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- HEALTH CARE FOR

CHILDREN AND PREGNANT WOMEN

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Morales, Williams, Felix, Alzate, Giraldo, Kazarian,
Casimiro, Kislak, Diaz, and Hull

     Date Introduced: February 16, 2022

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Sections 42-12.3-4 and 42-12.3-15 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-12.3

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entitled "Health Care for Children and Pregnant Women" are hereby amended to read as follows:

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     42-12.3-4. "RIte track" program.

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     (a) There is hereby established a payor of last resort program for comprehensive health

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care for children until they reach nineteen (19) years of age, to be known as "RIte track." The

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department of human services is hereby authorized to amend its Title XIX state plan pursuant to

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Title XIX [42 U.S.C. § 1396 et seq.] and Title XXI [ 42 U.S.C. § 1397aa et seq.] of the Social

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Security Act as necessary to provide for expanded Medicaid coverage through expanded family

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income disregards for children, until they reach nineteen (19) years of age, whose family income

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levels are up to two hundred fifty percent (250%) of the federal poverty level. Provided, however,

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that healthcare coverage provided under this section shall also be provided in accordance to Title

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XIX of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1396 et seq., without regard to availability of federal

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financial participation to a noncitizen child who is lawfully residing in the United States, a resident

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of Rhode Island and who is otherwise eligible for such assistance. The department is further

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authorized to promulgate any regulations necessary, and in accord with Title XIX [42 U.S.C. §

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1396 et seq.] and Title XXI [ 42 U.S.C. § 1397aa et seq.] of the Social Security Act as necessary

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in order to implement the state plan amendment. For those children who lack health insurance, and

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whose family incomes are in excess of two hundred fifty percent (250%) of the federal poverty

 

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level, the department of human services shall promulgate necessary regulations to implement the

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program. The department of human services is further directed to ascertain and promulgate the

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scope of services that will be available to those children whose family income exceeds the

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maximum family income specified in the approved Title XIX [42 U.S.C. § 1396 et seq.] and Title

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XXI [ 42 U.S.C. § 1397aa et seq.] state plan amendment.

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     (b) The executive office of health and human services is directed to ensure that federal

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financial participation is assessed to the maximum extent allowable to provide coverage to children

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pursuant to this section, and that state-only funds will be used only if federal financial participation

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is not available.

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     42-12.3-15. Expansion of RIte track program.

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     (a) The Department of Human Services is hereby authorized and directed to submit to the

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United States Department of Health and Human Services an amendment to the "RIte Care" waiver

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project number 11-W-0004/1-01 to provide for expanded Medicaid coverage for children until they

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reach eight (8) years of age, whose family income levels are to two hundred fifty percent (250%)

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of the federal poverty level. Expansion of the RIte track program from the age of six (6) until they

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reach eighteen (18) years of age in accordance with this chapter shall be subject to the approval of

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the amended waiver by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Healthcare

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coverage under this section shall also be provided to a noncitizen child lawfully residing in the

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United States who is a resident of Rhode Island, and who is otherwise eligible for such assistance

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under Title XIX [42 U.S.C. § 1396 et seq.] or Title XXI [ 42 U.S.C. § 1397aa et seq.]

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     (b) The executive office of health and human services is directed to ensure that federal

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financial participation is assessed to the maximum extent allowable to provide coverage to children

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pursuant to this section, and that state-only funds will be used only if federal financial participation

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is not available.

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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 STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- HEALTH CARE FOR

CHILDREN AND PREGNANT WOMEN

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     This act would expand the RIte Track Program to provide health care coverage to children

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up to age nineteen (19) funded by federal funds, if available, or if not available, by state funds.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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