WASHINGTON, July 16 -- Rep. Doris O. Matsui, D-California, has introduced the Strengthening Medicaid for America's Children Act of 2009 (H.R.2859), legislation that would 'amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide for application of an enhanced Federal matching rate for children under the Medicaid Program if certain conditions are met.'
The bill was introduced on June 12. It was referred to the Energy and Commerce Committee.
A copy of the full-text of the legislation follows:
Strengthening Medicaid for America's Children Act of 2009
H. R. 2859
A BILL To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide for application of an enhanced Federal matching rate for children under the Medicaid Program if certain conditions are met.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Strengthening Medicaid for America's Children Act of 2009'. SEC. 2. ENHANCED FMAP FOR CHILDREN UNDER MEDICAID.
(a) In General- Section 1905 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d) is amended-- (1) in subsection (b), by inserting `and subsection (y)' after `section 1933(d),'; and (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: `(y) Conditions-Based Enhanced FMAP for Children- `(1) IN GENERAL- Subject to paragraph (4), in the case of a State that meets the requirements of paragraph (2) with respect to a quarter and that implements at least 3 of the policies described in paragraph (3)(B) for the quarter under the State plan under this title, the Federal medical assistance percentage applicable with respect to expenditures made for medical assistance for children shall be increased by the percentage (specified in paragraph (3)(A)) of the number of percentage points by which-- `(A) the enhanced FMAP (as defined in section 2105(b)), exceeds `(B) the Federal medical assistance percentage otherwise applicable. `(2) MAINTENANCE-OF-EFFORT REQUIREMENTS- The requirements of this paragraph with respect to a State for a quarter are that the State must agree to the following two maintenance-of-effort requirements: `(A) An amount equivalent to the aggregate State general revenue funds being applied as of July 1, 2008, under this title for purposes of obtaining Federal financial participation under this title for medical assistance furnished to children must remain invested in health care programs and services for children and available to supplement (and not supplant) program funding, with priority given to increasing reimbursement rates for providers and coverage expansion. `(B) To maintain eligibility, methods, standards, procedures, and provider rates applicable to children under this title at levels not less than the levels in effect as of July 1, 2008. `(3) SCALING OF INCREASE BASED ON DEGREE OF IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICIES- `(A) PERCENTAGE SPECIFIED- For purposes of paragraph (1), in the case of a State that implements-- `(i) at least 6 of the policies described in subparagraph (B) for a calendar quarter, the percentage under this subparagraph is 100 percent; `(ii) 5 of such policies, the percentage under this paragraph is 75 percent; or `(iii) fewer than 4 (but no less than 3) of such policies, the percentage under this paragraph is 50 percent. `(B) POLICIES DESCRIBED- The policies described in this subparagraph are as follows (as more fully specified by the Secretary): `(i) The State has implemented 12-month continuous coverage for children for medical assistance under this title. `(ii) Children leaving foster care on their 18th birthday may maintain eligibility for medical assistance under this title up to the age of 23 if they are attending college full- or part-time. `(iii) As a condition of eligibility for children under section 1902(l), the State does not apply an asset test or applies a simplified asset verification system. `(iv) The State does not require a face-to-face interview as a condition of eligibility for children for medical assistance under this title. `(v) The State permits renewals of eligibility for children for medical assistance under this title to be effected administratively or through an ex parte process. `(vi) The State permits a joint application for medical assistance under this title and for child health assistance under title XXI with the same information verification process to obtain assistance under this title or title XXI. `(vii) The State has implemented under this title and title XXI presumptive eligibility for children described in section 1920A. `(viii) The State has implemented the Express Lane eligibility option under section 1902(e)(13). `(ix) The State provides for coordination of delivery of care for children for which medical assistance is available under this title through a medical home or similar model. `(4) LIMITATION- This subsection shall not apply for any calendar quarter for a State for which the State may be eligible for an increase in FMAP under section 5001 of division B of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Public Law 111-5). `(5) CHILDREN DEFINED- In this subsection, the term `children' means an individual who is under 21 years of age.'.
For more information about US Fed News contract awards please contact: Sarabjit Jagirdar, US Fed News, Email:- htsyndication@hindustantimes.com.
