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OLR Bill Analysis
sSB 955 (File 515, as amended by Senate "A")*
AN ACT CONCERNING REVISIONS TO OBSOLETE PROVISIONS
OF THE GENERAL STATUTES AFFECTING THE DEPARTMENT
OF SOCIAL SERVICES.
SUMMARY
This bill limits participation in the Connecticut Home Care Program
for Persons with Disabilities to those who are ineligible for Medicaid
or Medicaid waivers (§ 501, see BACKGROUND). It also expands the
Statewide Health Information Exchange board of directors to include
the Department of Social Services (DSS) commissioner or her designee
as an ex-officio voting member (§ 502, see BACKGROUND).
The bill requires the DSS commissioner, in collaboration with the
Mental Health and Addiction Services and Housing commissioners, to:
1. study whether state-contracted human services providers
receive disparate payment rates under programs they
administer in different regions of the state and
2. report by November 1, 2021, on the rate study and any rate
adjustment recommendations to the Appropriations, Housing,
Human Services, and Public Health committees.
For the study, “human services” includes (1) physical and
behavioral health services and (2) housing and shelter services
provided to homeless persons.
The bill makes other various changes to the laws governing DSS.
Specifically, it eliminates:
1. references to the state’s Weatherization Assistance Program
from the annual Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program
reporting requirements (the Department of Energy and
Environmental Protection now administers the program in 2021SB-00955-R01-BA.DOCX
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partnership with community action agencies) (§ 1);
2. the requirement that DSS include a copy of the transcript of the
cognizance committees’ review proceeding when submitting to
the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (a) a Medicaid
waiver application or renewal or (b) certain proposed
amendments to the Medicaid state plan (§ 2);
3. the requirement that DSS develop uniform regulations for
licensing human services facilities, which the state auditors
interpreted as requiring DSS to promulgate for these facilities
regardless of whether they are within its purview (§ 3);
4. an outdated requirement that DSS, in collaboration with the
Council on Medical Assistance Program Oversight, annually
prepare a report, within available appropriations, that includes
a comparison of the performance of each Medicaid managed
care organization and other member service delivery choices
(managed care is no longer used by the state Medicaid
program) (§ 4);
5. references to freestanding medical clinics from a provision on
Medicaid rate adjustments based on cost reporting (these clinics
are not paid via this method and were always paid according to
a fee schedule) (§ 5);
6. the requirement that DSS adopt regulations to certify federally
qualified health centers (this aspect of Medicaid managed care
is no longer used by the state Medicaid plan) (§ 6);
7. three obsolete statutes regarding an inactive Temporary Family
Assistance client advisory board (CGS § 17b-184), a formulary
for certain generic prescription drug costs that are now
reimbursed according to federal regulations (CGS § 17b-274a),
and a reporting requirement on employment opportunities and
training for persons with disabilities (CGS § 17b-610) (§ 8); and
8. the requirement that the Office of Child Support Services within 2021SB-00955-R01-BA.DOCX
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DSS (a) establish, maintain, and periodically update a list of
delinquent child support obligors and (b) publish, on the
DSS website, a list of the 100 individuals with the highest
delinquent child support obligations, which in practice, DSS has
never published (§ 503).
The bill additionally (1) replaces a reference to the Connecticut Law
Journal, instead requiring DSS to post notices of its intent to adopt
regulations regarding community health centers on its website and the
eRegulations system, and (2) makes technical and conforming changes.
*Senate Amendment “A” (1) limits participation in the Connecticut
Home Care Program for Persons with Disabilities, (2) expands the
Statewide Health Information Exchange board of directors, (3) requires
a study of state-contracted human services provider payment rates,
and (4) repeals the requirements concerning lists of delinquent child
support obligors.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2021, except that the provisions
concerning the Connecticut Home Care Program for Persons with
Disabilities, Statewide Health Information Exchange board of
directors, and human service provider rate study are effective upon
passage.
BACKGROUND
Connecticut Home Care Program for Persons with Disabilities
Under existing law, this state-funded pilot serves up to 100 people
with disabilities who (1) are age 18 to 64, (2) are inappropriately
institutionalized or at risk of becoming so, and (3) meet certain asset
limits.
Statewide Health Information Exchange Board of Directors
Under existing law, the board’s general purpose is to implement a
program to expedite the development of the Statewide Health
Information Exchange.
Under current law, the board includes the following eight members,
who serve two-year terms: 2021SB-00955-R01-BA.DOCX
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1. an advocate for health care consumers, appointed by the
governor;
2. a clinical medical doctor, appointed by the Senate president pro
tempore;
3. a hospital administration expert, appointed by the House
speaker;
4. a corporate law or finance expert, appointed by the Senate
minority leader;
5. a group health insurance expert, appointed by the House
minority leader;
6. the state’s chief information officer, or his designee;
7. the Office of Policy and Management secretary, or her designee;
and
8. the state’s health information technology officer.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Human Services Committee
Joint Favorable Substitute
Yea 19 Nay 0 (03/31/2021)