HLS 15RS-755 ORIGINAL
2015 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 517
BY REPRESENTATIVE EDWARDS
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
MEDICAID: (Constitutional Amendment) Provides for expansion of Medicaid eligibility
in conformance with standards provided in federal law
1 A JOINT RESOLUTION
2Proposing to add Article XII, Section 8.2 of the Constitution of Louisiana, to provide for
3 expansion of eligibility standards for the medical assistance program, known also as
4 Medicaid, in conformance with federal law; to authorize means by which expansion
5 of Medicaid eligibility may be implemented; to provide for submission of the
6 proposed amendment to the electors; and to provide for related matters.
7 Section 1. Be it resolved by the Legislature of Louisiana, two-thirds of the members
8elected to each house concurring, that there shall be submitted to the electors of the state of
9Louisiana, for their approval or rejection in the manner provided by law, a proposal to add
10Article XII, Section 8.2 of the Constitution of Louisiana, to read as follows:
11 §8.2. Medical Assistance Program Eligibility
12 A. With respect to the medical assistance program administered by the state
13 in accordance with Title XIX of the Social Security Act, known also as Medicaid,
14 or any successor, eligibility standards of the program shall conform, at minimum, to
15 the minimum standards provided in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
16 (Public Law 111-148).
17 B. The secretary of the department designated pursuant to Section 1902(a)
18 of the Social Security Act as the single state agency for the Medicaid program may
19 do all of the following:
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
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HB NO. 517
1 (1) Operate the expanded segment of the Medicaid program either as a
2 program administered directly by the department; or, at his discretion, and if
3 authorized by the federal Medicaid agency, through a program that allows newly
4 eligible beneficiaries to purchase private insurance.
5 (2) Fix income eligibility standards for the Medicaid program at levels
6 greater than the minimum levels provided in federal law if specifically authorized
7 by law to do so.
8 Section 2. Be it further resolved that this proposed amendment shall be submitted
9to the electors of the state of Louisiana at the statewide election to be held on October 24,
102015.
11 Section 3. Be it further resolved that on the official ballot to be used at the election,
12there shall be printed a proposition, upon which the electors of the state shall be permitted
13to vote YES or NO, to amend the Constitution of Louisiana, which proposition shall read as
14follows:
15 Do you support an amendment to expand eligibility for the Medicaid
16 program in this state to conform with eligibility standards provided in federal
17 law, and to authorize the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health
18 and Hospitals, at his discretion, to conduct the expansion of Medicaid
19 through a program that allows new beneficiaries to purchase private
20 insurance? (Adds Article XII, Section 8.2)
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)]
HB 517 Original 2015 Regular Session Edwards
Abstract: Constitutional amendment to provide for expansion of Medicaid eligibility in
conformance with minimum standards provided in the Patient Protection and
Affordable Care Act.
Proposed constitutional amendment requires expansion of La. Medicaid eligibility standards
such that they conform, at minimum, to the minimum standards provided in the Patient
Protection and Affordable Care Act (Pub. L. 111-148). Such expansion would provide
Medicaid coverage for all persons in La. with household income at or below 138% of the
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HB NO. 517
federal poverty level (an annual household income at or below $33,465 for a family of four
currently).
Proposed constitutional amendment authorizes the secretary of the Dept. of Health and
Hospitals to do all of the following:
(1)Operate the expanded segment of the Medicaid program either as a program
administered directly by the department, or through a program that allows newly
eligible beneficiaries to purchase private insurance.
(2)Fix income eligibility standards for the Medicaid program at levels greater than the
minimum levels provided in federal law if specifically authorized by law to do so.
Provides for submission of the proposed amendment to the voters at the statewide election
to be held Oct. 24, 2015.
(Adds Const. Art. XII, §8.2)
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.