HOUSE BILL REPORT
SSB 6583
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
As Reported by House Committee On:
Health Care & Wellness
Title: An act relating to eligibility for medical assistance.
Brief Description: Changing provisions relating to eligibility for medical assistance.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Brandland and Hargrove).
Brief History:
Health Care & Wellness: 2/21/08, 2/25/08 [DP].
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & WELLNESS
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 12 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Morrell, Vice Chair; Hinkle, Ranking Minority Member; Alexander, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Barlow, Condotta, DeBolt, Green, Moeller, Pedersen, Schual-Berke and Seaquist.
Staff: Dave Knutson (786-7146).
Background:
In Washington, an individual may qualify for Medicaid coverage under the "categorically
needy" (CN) program if the individual is disabled, blind, or over age 65, and meets income
limitations. The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) has set the income
limitation for the CN program at $637 per month for one person, or $956 per month for two
persons. A person who is disabled, blind, or over age 65, and who has an income greater
than $637 per month may qualify for Medicaid under the "medically needy" (MN) program
only if the person can prove that the person has spent all of his or her excess income above
$637 per month on medical expenses for the three- or six-month period prior to coverage. A
person who is released from a correctional institution or institution for mental diseases is not
eligible to qualify for Medicaid under the MN program if the person's medical expenses for
the previous three- or six-month period were covered by the institution. The DSHS may
change the income limitation for the CN program within parameters authorized by the federal
government without losing federal matching funds.
The federal poverty level (FPL) refers to poverty guidelines published annually by the federal
Department of Health and Human Services. These guidelines are adjusted annually to
account for inflation. The federal poverty level is currently $851 per month for one
individual or $1,141 per month for two persons.
Summary of Bill:
The DSHS must raise the categorically needy income level for aged, blind, and disabled
persons to 80 percent of the FPL as adjusted annually beginning July 1, 2009; 90 percent
beginning July 1, 2011; and 100 percent beginning July 1, 2013. The act takes effect July 1,
2009, and the provisions of the bill are contingent upon funding provided in the 2009-11
biennial budget.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect July 1, 2009. However, the bill is null and void if not funded in the budget.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) Administrative costs would be reduced by transferring people from the MN
program to the CN program. Inmates who are released from jail do not qualify for the MN
program for several months following their release from confinement. This change would
make it easier for mentally ill inmates to qualify for medical coverage upon their release.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Jim Adams, National Alliance on Mental Illness - Washington; Peter Greenfield, Washington State Bar Association, Elder Law Section; Seth Dawson, Washington State Psychiatric Association; Bruce Reeves, Washington State Senior Citizens Lobby; John Masterson, Washington Community Mental Health Council; Dennis Mahar, Washington Association of Area Agencies on Aging; and Jim Watts.