BILL REQ. #:  S-4130.1 

Read first time 01/18/08.   Referred to Committee on Human Services & Corrections.

     AN ACT Relating to eligibility for medical assistance; and amending RCW 74.09.510 and 74.09.530.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 74.09.510 and 2007 c 315 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Medical assistance may be provided in accordance with eligibility requirements established by the department, as defined in the social security Title XIX state plan for mandatory categorically needy persons and:
     (((1))) (a) Individuals who would be eligible for cash assistance except for their institutional status;
     (((2))) (b) Individuals who are under twenty-one years of age, who would be eligible for medicaid, but do not qualify as dependent children and who are in (((a))) (i) foster care, (((b))) (ii) subsidized adoption, (((c))) (iii) a nursing facility or an intermediate care facility for persons who are mentally retarded, or (((d))) (iv) inpatient psychiatric facilities;
     (((3))) (c) Individuals who:
     (((a))) (i) Are under twenty-one years of age;
     (((b))) (ii) On or after July 22, 2007, were in foster care under the legal responsibility of the department or a federally recognized tribe located within the state; and
     (((c))) (iii) On their eighteenth birthday, were in foster care under the legal responsibility of the department or a federally recognized tribe located within the state;
     (((4))) (d) Persons who are aged, blind, or disabled who: (((a))) (i) Receive only a state supplement, or (((b))) (ii) would not be eligible for cash assistance if they were not institutionalized;
     (((5))) (e) Categorically eligible individuals who meet the income and resource requirements of the cash assistance programs;
     (((6))) (f) Individuals who are enrolled in managed health care systems, who have otherwise lost eligibility for medical assistance, but who have not completed a current six-month enrollment in a managed health care system, and who are eligible for federal financial participation under Title XIX of the social security act;
     (((7))) (g) Children and pregnant women allowed by federal statute for whom funding is appropriated;
     (((8))) (h) Working individuals with disabilities authorized under section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii) of the social security act for whom funding is appropriated;
     (((9))) (i) Other individuals eligible for medical services under RCW 74.09.035 and 74.09.700 for whom federal financial participation is available under Title XIX of the social security act;
     (((10))) (j) Persons allowed by section 1931 of the social security act for whom funding is appropriated; and
     (((11))) (k) Women who: (((a))) (i) Are under sixty-five years of age; (((b))) (ii) have been screened for breast and cervical cancer under the national breast and cervical cancer early detection program administered by the department of health or tribal entity and have been identified as needing treatment for breast or cervical cancer; and (((c))) (iii) are not otherwise covered by health insurance. Medical assistance provided under this subsection (1)(k) is limited to the period during which the woman requires treatment for breast or cervical cancer, and is subject to any conditions or limitations specified in the omnibus appropriations act.
     (2) To the extent permitted under federal law, the department shall set the categorically needy income level for adults who are sixty-five years of age or older, blind, or disabled, at an amount at or above the federal poverty level as adjusted annually.

Sec. 2   RCW 74.09.530 and 2007 c 315 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The amount and nature of medical assistance and the determination of eligibility of recipients for medical assistance shall be the responsibility of the department of social and health services. The department shall establish reasonable standards of assistance and resource and income exemptions which shall be consistent with the provisions of the Social Security Act and with the regulations of the secretary of health, education and welfare for determining eligibility of individuals for medical assistance and the extent of such assistance to the extent that funds are available from the state and federal government. The department shall not consider resources in determining continuing eligibility for recipients eligible under section 1931 of the social security act.
     (2) Individuals eligible for medical assistance under RCW 74.09.510(((3))) (1)(c) shall be transitioned into coverage under that subsection immediately upon their termination from coverage under RCW 74.09.510(((2)(a))) (1)(b)(i). The department shall use income eligibility standards and eligibility determinations applicable to children placed in foster care. The department, in consultation with the health care authority, shall provide information regarding basic health plan enrollment and shall offer assistance with the application and enrollment process to individuals covered under RCW 74.09.510(((3))) (1)(c) who are approaching their twenty-first birthday.