Signed by Governor Gary Herbert

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that expands state Medicaid coverage.

Highlights:

• Requires the Department of Health to apply to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services within the United States Department of Health and Human Services for approval of a waiver or state plan amendment to implement a Medicaid waiver expansion (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that the Medicaid waiver expansion will (Sec. 2):

• Expand Medicaid coverage to eligible individuals whose income is below 95 percent of the federal poverty level;

• Obtain maximum federal financial participation for enrolling an individual in the Medicaid program;

• Provides Medicaid benefits through the state’s Medicaid accountable care organizations in areas where a Medicaid accountable care organization is implemented;

• Integrate the delivery of behavioral health services and physical health services with Medicaid accountable care organizations in select geographic areas of the state that choose an integrated model;

• Include a path to self-sufficiency, including work activities for qualified adults;

• Require an individual who is offered a private health benefit plan by an employer to enroll in the employer’s health plan; and

• Permit the state to close enrollment in the Medicaid waiver expansion if the Department of Health has insufficient funding to provide services to additional eligible individuals.

Full Bill Text