AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 71, relative to TennCare.
Impact
The proposed legislation prevents the TennCare bureau from conducting redeterminations of eligibility or disenrolling children unless specific conditions are met, such as voluntary disenrollment by a parent, the death of the child, relocation out of state, or fraudulent enrollment. This will not only offer families more security regarding their healthcare benefits but also aims to reduce the administrative burden of frequent eligibility assessments. This change may have considerable implications for healthcare policy in Tennessee, particularly regarding low-income families and their access to medical services.
Summary
House Bill 2557 aims to amend the Tennessee Code Annotated, specifically in Title 71, by introducing provisions that impact the eligibility of minor children enrolled in TennCare and the CoverKids program. The bill defines key terms such as 'bureau', 'CoverKids program', 'director', and 'minor child', establishing a foundation for its operational parameters. Notably, it stipulates that minor children who are enrolled in these programs remain eligible until they reach the age of six, irrespective of changing circumstances, a significant policy shift designed to safeguard access to healthcare for younger children.
Contention
The discussions surrounding HB2557 could touch on areas of concern, such as the implications of such a blanket policy and the potential for increased costs to the state if more children remain eligible for longer periods. Some stakeholders may argue about the sustainability of such changes within the state's budgetary constraints. Additionally, there could be concerns regarding the enforcement of provisions that ensure disenrollment occurs only under specific conditions. Stakeholders might question how effectively the proposed measures will be implemented and monitored to prevent abuse, raising points of contention as the bill progresses through the legislative process.