Bill Text: DE HB150 | 2023-2024 | 152nd General Assembly | Draft
Bill Title: An Act To Amend Title 31 Of The Delaware Code Relating To Medical Coverage For All Delaware Children.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 23-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2023-05-18 - Assigned to Appropriations Committee in House [HB150 Detail]
Download: Delaware-2023-HB150-Draft.html
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SPONSOR: |
Rep. Griffith & Rep. Heffernan & Rep. Longhurst & Rep. Minor-Brown & Rep. Morrison & Sen. S. McBride |
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Reps. Lambert, Lynn, Phillips, Wilson-Anton; Sens. Gay, Hoffner, Mantzavinos, Pinkney, Sokola, Sturgeon, Townsend |
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
152nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY
HOUSE BILL NO. 150
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 31 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO MEDICAL COVERAGE FOR ALL DELAWARE CHILDREN.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:
Section 1. This Act shall be known and may be cited as the “Cover All Delaware Children Act.”
Section 2. Amend Chapter 5, Title 31 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:
§ 532. Medical assistance for children.
(a) By January 1, 2024, the Department of Health and Social Services shall establish a program, within the limits of annual appropriations and operated with non-federal funds, to provide limited medical assistance to eligible children who reside in this state who are not otherwise eligible for Medicaid or other federally-funded coverage.
(b) A child is eligible for coverage under this section if the child resides in this state and the income of the child’s family is at or below the Delaware Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program income guidelines. There is no asset limit to qualify for the program.
(c) The coverage under this program shall be coextensive with coverage provided under the Delaware Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program, but shall exclude inpatient services at a hospital or other health care facility.
§ 533. Medical assistance for pregnant people.
(a) By January 1, 2024, the Department of Health and Social Services shall extend Children’s Health Insurance Program coverage to provide prenatal, labor and delivery, and postpartum care to pregnant people regardless of immigration status.
(b) The Division of Medicare and Medical Services shall submit a CHIP state plan amendment and take all other steps necessary for the implementation of this section.
SYNOPSIS
This bill is the Cover All Delaware Children Act. Many children who are undocumented do not have access to routine or preventative healthcare, including vaccinations and physicals, because they cannot afford the services. Instead they may rely upon emergency room visits when untreated conditions worsen. Providing publicly funded healthcare coverage to low-income children greatly improves their health and long-term outcomes. Medicaid coverage is linked to fewer chronic conditions, better overall health, improved oral health, and fewer hospitalizations and emergency room visits.
This Act directs the Department of Health and Social Services to develop and operate a limited medical assistance program for children in Delaware who are not otherwise covered, including children who are not documented. A child resident in the state whose family income is low enough that they would qualify on that basis for Medicaid or CHIP coverage, but is not eligible for Medicaid or other federally funded coverage, is eligible for coverage and medical care under this Act. The coverage would be co-extensive with that provided by CHIP and Medicaid, except that it would not include in-patient care at a hospital or other healthcare facility.
The Act also directs the State to submit a plan amendment to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services so that the state can take advantage of the federal CHIP option to include coverage of pregnant women regardless of immigration status.
