DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of
the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of
the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Burrell HB No. 449
Abstract: Provides for a time-limited expansion of Medicaid eligibility standards in La. to
conform such standards to those provided in the Affordable Care Act until Dec. 31, 2016.
Proposed law requires the secretary of DHH to take such actions as are necessary to expand
Louisiana's Medicaid eligibility standards to conform to those established by the Affordable Care
Act (ACA) commencing on January 1, 2014. Provides that such actions by the secretary shall
include:
(1)On or before September 1, 2013, filing of the Medicaid state plan amendment necessary
to expand Medicaid eligibility in accordance with proposed law.
(2)On or before September 1, 2013, promulgating all rules and regulations as are necessary
to expand Medicaid eligibility in accordance with proposed law.
Proposed law declares that the purposes of the state in expanding Medicaid eligibility as
provided in proposed law are as follows:
(1)To maximize the number of Louisianians who are covered by some form of health
insurance.
(2)To provide basic health coverage to the working poor of the state who are not offered
insurance through their employer and do not earn enough money to meet basic family
needs and pay for private health insurance.
(3)To assure health care providers who serve low- to moderate-income persons of some
amount of compensation for the care they provide, as the ACA provides for a dramatic
reduction in funding to federal programs which currently finance care for the uninsured as
a means of financing the Medicaid expansion.
(4)To avail the state of an expanding resource for medical care for its neediest citizens while
other sources of financing for such care are being drastically diminished.
Proposed law provides that proposed law shall terminate on Dec. 31, 2016. Further, authorizes
the secretary of DHH to revise the Medicaid income eligibility threshold to any level allowed by
federal law other than that required by preceding provisions of proposed law, and to cause such
revised income eligibility threshold to take effect no sooner than Jan. 1, 2017. Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 46:979.1-979.5)