2021 -- S 0576

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LC002353

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -– HEALTH CARE FOR

CHILDREN AND PREGNANT WOMEN

     Introduced By: Senators Cano, DiMario, Quezada, Calkin, Anderson, Goldin, Murray,
Miller, Euer, and DiPalma

     Date Introduced: March 11, 2021

     Referred To: Senate Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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

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

     42-12.3-4. "RIte track" program.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

healthcare coverage provided under this section shall also be provided without regard to availability

of federal financial participation in accordance to Title XIX of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C.

§ 1396 et seq., to a noncitizen child who is a resident of Rhode Island lawfully residing in the

United States, and who is otherwise eligible for such assistance. The department is further

authorized to promulgate any regulations necessary, and in accord with title XIX [42 U.S.C. § 1396

et seq.] and title XXI [42 U.S.C. § 1397 et seq.] of the Social Security Act as necessary in order to

implement the state plan amendment. For those children who lack health insurance, and whose

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

department of human services shall promulgate necessary regulations to implement the program.

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

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

income specified in the approved title XIX [42 U.S.C. § 1396 et seq.] and title XXI [42 U.S.C. §

1397 et seq.] state plan amendment.

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

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

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

is not available.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

coverage under this section shall also be provided to a noncitizen child who is a resident of Rhode

Island lawfully residing in the United States, and who is otherwise eligible for such assistance under

title XIX [42 U.S.C. § 1396 et seq.] or title XXI [42 U.S.C. § 1397 et seq.]

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

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

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

is not available.

     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

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

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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