07-R405

2007 -- H 6560

Enacted 07/07/07

J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN

SERVICES TO ACT IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF PERSONS IN NEED OF HEALTH

INSURANCE BY FACILITATING ELIGIBILITY AND ENROLLMENT FOR THE RHODE ISLAND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM BY REQUIRING ONLY SUCH DOCUMENTATION AS IS MANDATED TO BE PROVIDED BY RELEVANT FEDERAL REGULATIONS

Introduced By: Representatives Diaz, Slater, Almeida, Segal, and Rice

Date Introduced: June 20, 2007

     WHEREAS, Thousands of Rhode Island children are losing health insurance this year

due to the application of enrollment documentation requirements imposed as a result of federal

policy changes; and

     WHEREAS, The rapidly growing number of uninsured individuals in our state is

crushing our health care safety net, resulting in severe financial shortfalls in our community

health centers and hospitals; and

     WHEREAS, Pending federal legislation may allow for state flexibility in the application

of the onerous federal documentation requirements; and

     WHEREAS, Current departmental policy may exceed the federal documentation

requirements, leading to a delay or gap in coverage for eligible women; and

     WHEREAS, The continued lack of coordination and electronic transfer of vital records

between the Department of Health and the Department of Human Services acts as a further

barrier to access health care among our working families; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That the General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island and Providence

Plantations hereby intends that children, parents and pregnant women who are eligible for health

insurance through the medical assistance and/or SCHIP programs and who meet the income and

resource limitations established by Rhode Island law, be enrolled without undue delay in RIte

Care or RIte Share, as appropriate; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this General Assembly hereby requests that the Rhode Island

Department of Human Services acts in the best interests of persons in need of health insurance by

facilitating eligibility and enrollment for the Rhode Island Medical Assistance Program by

requiring only such documentation as is mandated to be provided by relevant federal law and

regulations; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Director of the Rhode Island Department of

Human Services.

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LC03385

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