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1998 SESSION

983296717
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 114
Offered January 26, 1998
Requesting the Department of Medical Assistance Services to study the feasibility of allowing middle-class families to purchase Medicaid coverage for disabled children.
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Patrons-- Miller, Y.B., Couric, Edwards, Lambert, Lucas, Maxwell, Mims, Reasor, Reynolds, Ticer and Whipple; Delegates: Christian, Crittenden, Jones, D.C., Jones, J.C. and Spruill
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Referred to the Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, it is in the interest of the Commonwealth to encourage family stability during times of crisis; and

WHEREAS, families of all income levels may experience catastrophic health care costs when a child is born disabled or becomes disabled; and

WHEREAS, even families with traditional health insurance coverage may find that such policies place a cap on lifetime benefits for an individual; and

WHEREAS, in some cases, the survival of a child may incur expenses that exceed lifetime insurance benefit caps, even in the first few years of life; and

WHEREAS, family earning potential may be reduced if a parent is needed to provide full-time care to very sick or disabled children; and

WHEREAS, uninsured working parents face even greater financial pressures; and

WHEREAS, working families faced with these situations often find that their income precludes receiving medical assistance but is insufficient to cover medical costs; and

WHEREAS, these families are sometimes advised that medical assistance for a severely disabled child is available only if the child is institutionalized, the family income after medical bills is reduced to as little as $216 per month, or the working parent divorces the non-working parent; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the Department of Medical Assistance Services, in cooperation with the Department of Social Services and the Insurance Bureau of the State Corporation Commission, be requested to study the feasibility of allowing middle-class families to purchase Medicaid insurance coverage for disabled children. The Economic and Regulatory Analysis Section of the Department of Planning and Budget shall provide technical assistance upon request.

All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Department of Medical Assistance Services for this study, upon request.

The Department of Medical Assistance Services shall complete its work in time to submit its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 1999 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents.