Medicaid; expand eligibility for certain persons to receive services through provider sponsored health plan.
If enacted, HB1000 would significantly affect the state's Medicaid framework by broadening the eligibility criteria for coverage under Medicaid. This adjustment is expected to provide healthcare access to many low-income adults who previously would not qualify, addressing gaps in health service accessibility. The implementation would also require the Mississippi Division of Medicaid to seek a federal waiver in accordance with Title XIX provisions of the Social Security Act, allowing for these expanded services.
House Bill 1000 aims to amend Section 43-13-115 of the Mississippi Code to expand Medicaid coverage to individuals aged 19 to 64 whose incomes do not exceed 138% of the federal poverty level. This change is predicated on satisfying specific eligibility criteria related to a waiver approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The bill highlights the provision of care coordination services via provider-sponsored health plans, intending to improve healthcare access for vulnerable populations in the state.
Notably, the bill may encounter opposition based on concerns about the financial implications of such coverage expansions on the state's Medicaid budget. Supporters advocate for the positive health outcomes tied to broader access to medical services, while critics might argue about potential increased costs and the sustainability of funding for these services. Legislative discussions surrounding HB1000 will likely explore these financial impacts, the balance of state versus federal funding, and the overall economic health of the Medicaid program in Mississippi.