Medicaid Eligibility Expansion

TITLE 56 PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND WELFARE CHAPTER 2 PUBLIC ASSISTANCE LAW 56-267. MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY EXPANSION. (1) Notwithstanding any provision of law or federal waiver to the contrary, the state shall amend its state plan to expand medicaid eligibility to include those persons under sixty-five (65) years of age whose modified adjusted gross income is one hundred thirty-three percent (133%) of the federal poverty level or below and who are not otherwise eligible for any other coverage under the state plan, in accordance with sections 1902(a)(10)(A)(i)(VIII) and 1902(e)(14) of the social security act. (2)  No later than ninety (90) days after approval of this act, the department shall submit any necessary state plan amendments to the United States department of health and human services, centers for medicare and medicaid services to implement the provisions of this section. The department is required and authorized to take all actions necessary to implement the provisions of this section as soon as practicable. (3)  Eligibility for medicaid as described in this section shall not be delayed if the centers for medicare and medicaid services fail to approve any waivers of the state plan for which the department applies, nor shall such eligibility be delayed while the department is considering or negotiating any waivers to the state plan. The department shall not implement any waiver that would result in a reduction in federal financial participation for persons identified in subsection (1) of this section below the ninety percent (90%) commitment described in section 1905(y) of the social security act. (4)  If section 1905(y) of the social security act is held unlawful or unconstitutional by the United States supreme court, then the legislature shall declare this section to be null, void, and of no force and effect. (5)  If federal financial participation for persons identified in subsection (1) of this section is reduced below the ninety percent (90%) commitment described in section 1905(y) of the social security act, then the senate and house of representatives health and welfare committees shall, as soon as practicable, review the effects of such reduction and make a recommendation to the legislature as to whether medicaid eligibility expansion should remain in effect. The review and recommendation described in this subsection shall be conducted by the date of adjournment of the regular legislative session following the date of reduction in federal financial participation. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, if the reduction in federal financial participation occurs outside of a state legislative session, the department shall take any action necessary to offset the increase in state funding, including but not limited to reductions in provider payment rates or elimination of optional benefits. Such actions shall be taken until such time as the state legislature may convene and determine a proper course of action.