Establishes Children's Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund to provide finance assistance to families for medical expenses not covered by state or federal programs or insurance contract.
Impact
The bill will introduce a non-lapsing, revolving fund to be administered by a newly established commission comprised of nine members. This commission will be responsible for determining eligibility for the fund and managing the disbursement of financial aid. The implementation of the fund is expected to provide a safety net for families facing overwhelming medical costs, thereby improving access to necessary healthcare services for children in critical need.
Summary
Bill S2084, titled the 'Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund', aims to establish a dedicated fund to provide financial assistance for families with children suffering from catastrophic illnesses. It defines a catastrophic illness as one that incurs medical expenses exceeding a specified threshold that are not covered by any other state or federal programs or insurance. The bill stipulates that financial assistance will cover a range of medical expenses including hospital care, physician services, and medications.
Contention
Although the bill received unanimous support in its voting history, there may be underlying concerns regarding the funding mechanism. An annual surcharge of $1.50 per employee, imposed on all employers subject to employment security laws, is designed to be a primary source of funding for the relief fund. While this surcharge aims to ensure a steady income for the fund, discussions may emerge about its impact on businesses and potential pushback concerning new fiscal responsibilities, particularly from employer groups.
Summary_of_operations
The commission's duties will include establishing application procedures for families seeking assistance, maintaining records, and potentially negotiating reimbursements when families recover damages in legal actions. Regular reports to the governor and legislative committees will be mandated to assess the fund's activity and recommend legislative changes as necessary.
Establishes Children's Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund to provide finance assistance to families for medical expenses not covered by state or federal programs or insurance contract.