[Nfbmo] MO Health Care for Blind

[Shelia Wright]

The Conference Committee Report and Bills were on the House Floor today. The
conference committee substitute bill presented passed in the House on a vote
of 112 to 38(?). The message forwarded by Cory, details the compromise.

On the floor today, the "attempt to legislate" and whether the committee has
this power was mentioned. However the response was that the exact language
was taken from the CHIPS budget item (which is the most generous health care
program). No further discussion on this thread followed. It was reported
that no individual on CHIPS has ever had to pay more than $300 in a single
month. 

So it is on to the next step. One thing I did not quite understand was that
the bill gives the authority for the full $28 Mil but is for $25 Mil. Maybe
someone else understands this better than me. 

Shelia


-----Original Message-----
From: nfbmo-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbmo-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Cory McMahon
Sent: Thursday, May 10, 2012 8:35 AM
Subject: [Nfbmo] Fw: [Modisabilaw] Budget Negotiators Reach Agreement




From: Marty Exline 
Sent: Thursday, May 10, 2012 8:24 AM
To: MO Disability Policy/Law Listserv 
Subject: [Modisabilaw] Budget Negotiators Reach Agreement


Missouri legislators appear to have reached agreement on the final FY2013
budget which will begin July 1st.  The final budget must be passed by the
end of the day tomorrow, May 11th.  

 

The budget conference committee reached what some are viewing as a
compromise on the appropriation for healthcare coverage for persons
receiving Blind Pension.  Rather than restoring the program to its original
eligibility requirements, the agreement sets requirements similar to the MO
HealthNet for Kids program.  Under the program, persons with income up to
300% of the federal poverty level (FPL) would be eligible to receive
healthcare services, and those with income over 150% FPL would pay a
premium, with premium amounts increasing at incomes at 185% and 225% FPL.

 

One hitch with the agreement is the question of whether the change can
actually be implemented through the budget process or whether additional
legislation would also be needed.  The Governor's office is saying that the
measure does not change existing law for the program, so there will be more
to the story - stay tuned.

 

The final $24 million budget should be passed by the House and the Senate
today and sent to the Governor. 

 

###

 

 



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