Bill Text: WV HB3136 | 2019 | Regular Session | Engrossed


Bill Title: Relating to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 5-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-03-09 - On 3rd reading, House Calendar [HB3136 Detail]

Download: West_Virginia-2019-HB3136-Engrossed.html

WEST virginia legislature

2019 regular session

ENGROSSED

House Bill 3136

By Delegates Householder, Hardy, Butler, Espinosa, Ellington and Criss

[Originating in the Committee on Finance, February 21, 2019.]

A BILL to amend and reenact the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §9-8-2a, relating to requiring all able-bodied adults receiving Medicaid benefits to be employed or participating and complying with the requirements of a work, education, or volunteer program for at least 20 hours per week upon the issuance to the state of a waiver from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, United States Department of Health and Human Services, for a demonstration project under section 1115(a) of the Social Security Act to implement the requirements of this law, generally.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:


ARTICLE 8. ELIGIBILITY AND FRAUD REQUIREMENTS FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.

§9-8-2a. Work Requirements – Medicaid.

(a) The Legislature finds that an individual’s health and wellness are determined by a variety of factors, in addition to high-quality health care, and that factors such as education, community engagement, and work can contribute in a positive manner.  The Legislature further finds that a demonstration project creating incentives for Medicaid beneficiaries to participate in such activities would promote the statutory objectives of the Medicaid program.

(b) All able-bodied adults receiving Medicaid benefits shall be employed or participating and complying with the requirements of a work, education, or volunteer program for at least 20 hours per week: Provided, That further exemptions may apply and shall be determined in accordance with federal law: Provided, however, That any such exemptions may not exceed those granted by federal law.

(c) An applicant shall be deemed as complying with the requirements of a work, education, or volunteer program if any of the following requirements are satisfied:

(1) Working at least 20 hours per week, averaged monthly, or 80 hours a month;

(2) Participating in, and complying with, the requirements of a work force training program of 20 hours per week, as determined by the department in legislative rule;

(3) Volunteering 20 hours a week, as determined by the department in legislative rule;

(4) Any combination of working, volunteering and/or participating in a work program for a total of 20 hours per week, as determined by the department in legislative rule; or

(5) Participating in, and complying with, a Work Program or Workfare Program as set out in 7 C.F.R. 273.24(a)(3) and (4).

(6) Participating in, and complying with, a substance abuse treatment or recovery program approved by the Department for a total of at least 20 hours per week.

(d) As determined by the department, if a recipient would have worked an average of 20 hours per week but missed some work for good cause, the recipient is considered to have met the work requirement if the absence from work is temporary and the recipient retains his or her job. “Working” includes work in exchange for money, work in exchange for goods or services (“in kind” work), or unpaid work that has been verified as determined by the department in legislative rule.  “Good cause” includes circumstances beyond the household’s control, such as, but not limited to, illness, illness of another household member requiring the presence of the member, a household emergency, natural disaster, a declared state of emergency due to inclement weather, or the unavailability of transportation.

(e) The department shall identify and implement cost control measures to contribute to the long-term sustainability of the state Medicaid plan.  Any such measures may not place additional work requirements beyond those set forth in this section and shall be otherwise consistent with the requirements of this section and applicable federal law.

(f) The department shall make every effort, including preparing and submitting an application as specified in 42 C.F.R. 431.412, to obtain a waiver from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, United States Department of Health and Human Services (“CMS”), for a demonstration project under section 1115(a) of the Social Security Act to implement the requirements of this section.  The department shall further make every effort to extend any demonstration project waiver obtained from CMS. 

(g) The Medicaid eligibility requirements in subsection (b) are not enforceable until the effective date of a waiver received from CMS. 

(h) The department shall propose legislative rules in accordance with the provisions of this code for a plan for implementation of the requirements set forth in this section.

(i) The department shall provide to the Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Resources Accountability a copy of all monitoring and compliance documentation provided to CMS as required under any waiver.

(j) The department shall consult with the appropriate legal counsel when preparing any application for a waiver for a demonstration project, any application for extension of any such waiver, and any other rules or guidance prepared to implement the requirements of this section.

 

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to add language to the West Virginia Code directing the State Department of Health & Human Resources to apply for a federal waiver to implement Medicaid Work Requirements.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.

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