Rhode Island HB 7237: AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- HEALTH CARE FOR ELDERLY AND DISABLED RESIDENTS ACT (Increases the income limits for disabled individuals to one hundred eighty percent (180%) of the federal poverty level to qualify for medical assistance coverage.)

Bill Text

2022 -- H 7237
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LC004087
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S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022
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A N A C T
RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- HEALTH CARE FOR ELDERLY AND DISABLED
RESIDENTS ACT
Introduced By: Representatives Potter, Tanzi, Amore, Ruggiero, Edwards, Cassar, Slater,
Barros, Kislak, and Morales
Date Introduced: January 28, 2022
Referred To: House Finance

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 40-8.5-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 40-8.5 entitled "Health Care 1
for Elderly and Disabled Residents Act" is hereby amended to read as follows: 2
40-8.5-1. Categorically needy medical assistance coverage. 3
(a) The department of human services is hereby authorized and directed to amend its Title 4
XIX state plan to provide for categorically needy medical assistance coverage as permitted pursuant 5
to Title XIX of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1396 et seq., as amended, to individuals who 6
are sixty-five (65) years or older or are disabled, as determined under § 1614(a)(3) of the Social 7
Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1382c(a)(3), as amended, whose income does not exceed one hundred 8
percent (100%) one hundred eighty percent (180%) of the federal poverty level (as revised 9
annually) applicable to the individual's family size, and whose resources do not exceed four 10
thousand dollars ($4,000) per individual, or six thousand dollars ($6,000) per couple. The 11
department shall provide medical assistance coverage to such elderly or disabled persons in the 12
same amount, duration, and scope as provided to other categorically needy persons under the state's 13
Title XIX state plan. 14
(b) The department of human services is hereby authorized and directed to amend its Title 15
XIX state plan to provide for categorically needy medical assistance coverage as permitted pursuant 16
to Title XIX of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1396 et seq., as amended, to individuals who 17
are sixty-five (65) years or older as determined under § 1614(a)(3) of the Social Security Act, 42 18

LC004087 - Page 2 of 3
U.S.C. § 1382c(a)(3), as amended, whose income does not exceed one hundred percent (100%) of 1
the federal poverty level (as revised annually) applicable to the individual's family size, and whose 2
resources do not exceed four thousand dollars ($4,000) per individual, or six thousand dollars 3
($6,000) per couple. The department shall provide medical assistance coverage to such elderly 4
persons in the same amount, duration, and scope as provided to other categorically needy persons 5
under the state's Title XIX state plan. 6
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. 7
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LC004087 - Page 3 of 3
EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- HEALTH CARE FOR ELDERLY AND DISABLED
RESIDENTS ACT
***
This act would increase the income limits for disabled individuals to one hundred and 1
eighty percent of the federal poverty level to qualify for medical assistance coverage. 2
This act would take effect upon passage. 3
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LC004087
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