2459-S.E AMS REGA YOWE 002

ESHB 2459 - S AMD 840 TO S COMM AMD (S5232.3)

By Senator Regala

WITHDRAWN 3/11/04

On page 72, after line 37, insert the following:

"(23) If actual federal matching funds from the state children's health insurance program (SCHIP) exceed budgeted levels by ten percent or more, the department shall modify the plan to require monthly premiums for children's medical coverage. The appropriations in this 2004 act anticipate that, in fiscal year 2004, across all of its programs, the department will qualify for $10.8 million of federal SCHIP funding for coverage of children whose family incomes are between 150 percent and 200 percent of the federal poverty level. If projections indicate that actual SCHIP revenues will exceed that $10.8 million target by ten percent or more, the department shall suspend for the balance of the 2003-05 biennium the requirement that families pay monthly premiums for their children's medicaid coverage. Prior to the suspension of premiums, the projections shall be certified by the director of the office of financial management, in consultation with the legislative fiscal committees."

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EFFECT: Provides that, if federal matching funds exceed budgeted amounts, the Department is to suspend the requirement for families to pay monthly premiums for their children's medical coverage.