Legislature(2007 - 2008)CAPITOL 106
04/05/2008 09:00 AM House HEALTH, EDUCATION & SOCIAL SERVICES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB259 | |
| SB28 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 28 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 259 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SB 259-EFFECTIVE DATE: MEDICAL ASSISTANCE LAWS 9:03:46 AM CHAIR WILSON announced that the first order of business would be SENATE BILL NO. 259, "An Act repealing certain provisions relating to applications for medical assistance coverage; making certain provisions of ch. 96, SLA 2006, retroactive; providing for an effective date by repealing an effective date section in ch. 96, SLA 2006; providing for an effective date for certain sections of ch. 96, SLA 2006; and providing for an effective date." 9:04:35 AM KATHRYN KURTZ, Assistant Revisor, Legislative Legal Counsel, Legislative Legal and Research Services, Legislative Affairs Agency, explained that SB 259 was a special revisor's bill that was necessary to change the wording of an effective date clause pertaining to the Medical Assistance Act of 2006. Ms. Kurtz stated that the revision provided by the bill was supported by the Department of Law (DOL) and the Department of Health & Social Services (DHSS). 9:05:43 AM CHAIR WILSON opined that the memorandum in the committee packet from Ms. Kurtz explained the situation well. 9:05:52 AM REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH referred to the memorandum from Ms. Kurtz, dated March 27, 2008, and asked for an explanation of the amendments that were disapproved by the federal government. 9:06:08 AM MS. KURTZ explained that the disapproved provisions were repealed by the bill. 9:06:34 AM JON SHERWOOD, Office of Program Review, Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), further explained that the disapprovals were for Medicare state plan amendments. One amendment imposed a $500,000 asset limit on private residences and one changed the authority of adults to apply for Medicare on behalf of children under 18 years of age. 9:07:35 AM REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER noted that SB 259 repeals statutory language, in AS 47.07.020 (J), dealing with who can apply for Medicare for a child under the age of 18. She asked how the determination would be made after the repeal. 9:08:02 AM MR. SHERWOOD answered that the existing policy remains in effect, which states that any responsible person can apply, on behalf of a child, if the child is living at home. The parent would have to cooperate in the application, but currently if a child is in a situation where their parent can not apply, the application will be accepted from another responsible party. 9:08:57 AM REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER ascertained that "we're not leaving a hole." MR. SHERWOOD indicated not. 9:09:09 AM CHAIR WILSON recalled a previous policy change regarding the adoption of a person over the age of 18. She asked if this bill affects that statute. MR. SHERWOOD said this bill does not affect the adoption of adult children. 9:09:58 AM REPRESENTATIVE ROSES moved to report SB 259 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, SB 259 was reported from the House Health, Education and Social Services Standing Committee.
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