2023 -- H 5993
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LC002255
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S TATE OF RHODE IS LAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
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A N A C T
RELATING TO HUMAN SE RVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
Introduced By: Representatives Morales, Vella-Wilkinson, Sanchez, Potter, Giraldo,
Felix, Speakman, Tanzi, Stewart, and Kazarian
Date Introduced: March 01, 2023
Referred To: House Finance
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Chapter 40-8 of the General Laws entitled "Medical Assistance" is hereby 1
amended by adding thereto the following section: 2
40-8-3.2. Eligibility for Medicare savings programs. 3
(a) Beginning November 1, 2023, and annually thereafter, in accordance with the 4
provisions of Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1396 et. seq., the secretary 5
of the executive office of health and human services shall increase the income amount used to 6
determine eligibility by the department for a federal Medicare saving program, Qualified Medicare 7
Beneficiary Program, by an amount equal to the income level at or below one hundred eighty-five 8
percent (185%) of the federal poverty level. 9
(b) The secretary shall not apply an asset test for eligibility under the federal Medicare 10
savings programs. 11
(c) The secretary shall submit to the department of human services any Medicaid state plan 12
amendment or seek any waiver from the federal government necessary to implement the provisions 13
of this section. 14
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. 15
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LC002255 - Page 2 of 2
EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO HUMAN SE RVICES -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
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This act would amend the current law on Medicare eligibility by requiring the EOHHS 1
secretary, annually, to increase the income amount used to determine eligibility by the department 2
for a Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program by an amount equal to the income level at or below 3
one hundred eighty-five percent (185%) of the federal poverty level. The secretary would be 4
prohibited from applying an asset test for eligibility under the Medicare savings programs. 5
This act would take effect upon passage. 6
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LC002255
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