HLS 14RS-687 ORIGINAL
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE BILL NO. 174
BY REPRESENTATIVE BROSSETT
MEDICAID: (Constitutional Amendment) Provides for the expansion of Medicaid
eligibility
A JOINT RESOLUTION1
Proposing to add Article XII, Section 8.2 of the Constitution of Louisiana, to provide for2
expansion of eligibility standards for the medical assistance program, known also as3
Medicaid, in conformance with federal law; to authorize means by which expansion4
of Medicaid eligibility may be implemented; to provide for submission of the5
proposed amendment to the electors; and to provide for related matters.6
Section 1. Be it resolved by the Legislature of Louisiana, two-thirds of the members7
elected to each house concurring, that there shall be submitted to the electors of the state of8
Louisiana, for their approval or rejection in the manner provided by law, a proposal to add9
Article XII, Section 8.2 of the Constitution of Louisiana, to read as follows:10
§8.2. Medical Assistance Program Eligibility11
With respect to the medical assistance program administered by the state in12
accordance with Title XIX of the Social Security Act, or any successor to that13
program, income eligibility standards of the program shall conform, at minimum, to14
the minimum standards provided in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act15
(Public Law No. 111-148). The secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals16
may implement the expansion of medical assistance program eligibility in a manner17
that is the same as or substantially similar to any expansion plan approved by the18
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services which allows newly eligible medical19
assistance beneficiaries to purchase private insurance, and he may fix income20 HLS 14RS-687 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 174
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
eligibility standards at levels greater than the minimum levels if authorized by law1
to do so.2
Section 2. Be it further resolved that this proposed amendment shall be submitted3
to the electors of the state of Louisiana at the statewide election to be held on November 4,4
2014.5
Section 3. Be it further resolved that on the official ballot to be used at the election,6
there shall be printed a proposition, upon which the electors of the state shall be permitted7
to vote YES or NO, to amend the Constitution of Louisiana, which proposition shall read as8
follows:9
Do you support an amendment to expand eligibility for the Medicaid10
program in this state, as provided for in the Patient Protection and Affordable11
Care Act, in a manner which may, at the discretion of the state Medicaid12
agency, be conducted through a program allowing new beneficiaries to13
purchase private insurance? (Adds Article XII, Section 8.2)14
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)]
Brossett HB No. 174
Abstract: Provides for the expansion of Medicaid income eligibility standards in
conformance with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and authorizes the
expansion to be implemented in a manner that allows newly eligible beneficiaries to
purchase private insurance.
Proposed constitutional amendment provides for the expansion of Medicaid eligibility
standards in conformance with federal law. Authorizes the secretary of DHH to implement
Medicaid expansion in a manner that is the same as or substantially similar to any expansion
plan approved by the federal Medicaid agency which allows newly eligible beneficiaries to
purchase private insurance. Further provides that the secretary of DHH may fix Medicaid
income eligibility standards at levels greater than the minimum levels if authorized by law
to do so.
Provides for submission of the proposed amendment to the voters at the statewide election
to be held November 4, 2014.
(Adds Const. Art. XII, §8.2)