Introduced By: Representatives Slater, Carpenter, Benoit, Almeida and Abdullah-Odiase
Date Introduced : February 4, 1999
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 42-12.3-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-12.3 entitled "Health Care for Children and Pregnant Women" is hereby amended to read as follows:
42-12.3-4. RIte track. -- There is hereby established a payor of last resort program for comprehensive health care for children until they reach eighteen (18) 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. section 1396 et seq.] of the federal social security act to provide for expanded medicaid coverage through expanded family income disregards for children, until they reach eighteen (18) years of age, whose family income levels are up to two hundred fifty percent (250%) of the federal poverty level; provided, however, that health care coverage under this section shall also be provided without regard to the availability of federal financial participation to a non-citizen child lawfully residing in the United States {ADD and to a noncitizen child residing in Rhode Island, ADD} provided such child satisfies all other eligibility requirements. The department is further authorized to promulgate any regulations necessary, and in accord with title XIX [42 U.S.C. section 1396 et seq.] of the federal social security act to implement said 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. section 1396 et seq.] state plan amendment.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
