SSB 5305

SENATE BILL REPORT
SSB 5305

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 Passed Senate, March 8, 2007

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Franklin, Hargrove, Brandland, Eide, Hobbs, Spanel, Swecker, McAuliffe, Regala, Kauffman, Kohl-Welles, Fairley, Tom, Murray, Zarelli, Jacobsen, Keiser, Shin, Honeyford, Parlette, Rasmussen, Roach, Kline and Marr).

Majority Report: Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.Signed by Senators Keiser, Chair; Franklin, Vice Chair; Pflug, Ranking Minority Member; Carrell, Fairley, Kastama, Kohl-Welles, Marr and Parlette.

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5305 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by Senators Prentice, Chair; Fraser, Vice Chair, Capital Budget Chair; Pridemore, Vice Chair, Operating Budget; Zarelli, Ranking Minority Member; Brandland, Fairley, Hatfield, Hewitt, Hobbs, Honeyford, Keiser, Kohl-Welles, Oemig, Parlette, Rasmussen, Regala, Roach, Rockefeller, Schoesler and Tom.

Background: The Department of Social and Health Services provides programs for youth in foster care generally through age 18, unless the youth is in school or in treatment. In addition to foster care placement services, the Department may provide medical coverage through Medicaid or the Medical Assistance Program.

Medical coverage is generally available through age 18 for all children covered by Medicaid. A few young adults between 18 and 21 that remain in foster care maintain eligibility for medical assistance.

Summary of Substitute Bill: Eligibility for Medicaid, Medical Assistance, is extended up to age 21 for youth that were in foster care on their 18th birthday on or after the effective date of this act. The Department will use existing foster care eligibility standards for the medical expansion.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill (Health & Long-Term Care): PRO: Extending eligibility for medical coverage to age 21 will help these youth transition into adulthood. Many foster youth have extensive medical challenges and need on-going access to medical care. This eligibility change has been done by a dozen other states already.

OTHER: The bill needs some clarification on the effective date and the potential impact on youth that have already aged-out of eligibility.

Persons Testifying (Health & Long-Term Care): PRO: Delilah Bruskas, Connected Youth; Joseph LeRoy, Pierce County Alliance; Ashly Pfonensteir, foster child; Casey Trupin, Columbia Legal Services; Jim Theofelis, Samuel Martin, Jamica Henderson, Mellissa Stringer, Mockingbird Society; Michelle Keating, YouthCare; Janice Avery, Treehouse.

OTHER: Manning Pellanda, Department of Social and Health Services.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill (Ways & Means): PRO: This bill will help children leaving foster care become independent. Coverage for these youth will promote preventative medical care and lower utilization of emergency rooms, which will save the state money. The bill allows the state to leverage federal matching funds.

OTHER: We are working with staff on language to clarify the eligibility effective date. Funding is not provided in the Governor's budget.

Persons Testifying (Ways & Means): PRO: Senator Franklin, prime sponsor; Jim Theofelis, Mockingbird Society; Lelilah Bruskas, Connected Youth and Alumni Leaders of Tacoma; Daryl Daugs, Washington Federation of State Employees; Daniele Baxter, Foster Parent Association of Washington State.

OTHER: Manning Pellanda, Department of Social and Health Services.