WHEREAS, The Department of Human Services is the state agency responsible for the administration of the Medicaid program pursuant to Title 40 of the general laws and Title XIX of the Social Security Act; and

WHEREAS, The Department of Education is responsible for monitoring, coordinating, administering, and financing special education within the State of Rhode Island; and

WHEREAS, The Department of Human Services and the Department of Education have used Medicaid to fund health related special education services on a fee for service basis throughout the State of Rhode Island; and

WHEREAS, Medicaid funding regulations impose a time limit on receipt of funds for services; and

WHEREAS, Other states have studied and/or implemented more efficient methods of obtaining federal reimbursement for health related special education services; and

WHEREAS, Alternative methods of funding health related special education services may increase revenues to public school districts; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby respectfully requests that the Department of Education and Department of Human Services should immediately discuss with school districts and municipalities implementing alternative methods of Medicaid reimbursement for health related special education services; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Director of the Department of Education and the Director of the Department of Human Services.