JOINT COMMITTEE ON HEALTH

This act establishes the Joint Committee on Health. The committee will consist of five members of the Senate and five members of the House. All state departments, commissions, and offices responsible for the administration of health care policies, mental health and social services shall cooperate with and assist the committee in the performance of its duties.

The committee's duties include analyzing and developing policy proposals to reach the goal of all citizens of the state having affordable healthcare available to them and to improve the delivery of healthcare services in Missouri. In addition, the committee shall monitor the design and implementation of any initiatives proposed by the Missouri Medicaid Reform Commission.

HEALTHCARE TECHNOLOGY FUND

This act establishes the Healthcare Technology Fund, which shall be administered by the department of social services. The fund shall be created no later than July 1, 2006 or the effective date of this act, if the effective date is after July 1, 2006.

Upon appropriation, moneys in the fund shall be used to promote technological advances to improve patient care, decrease administrative burdens, and increase patient and health care provider satisfaction. Any programs or improvements on technology shall include encouragement and implementation of technologies intended to improve the safety, quality and costs of health care services in the state.

The department shall promulgate rules setting forth the procedures and methods for implementing the provisions the section.

This act also provides that no moneys in the fund shall be appropriated or expended for products or services provided by a business or corporation where a public official or state employee who has direct decision-making or administrative authority over disbursements from the fund has a certain interest in the business or corporation.

This act also provides that at least twenty-five percent of the funds annually disbursed shall be dedicated to technological upgrades and promotion of technological advances in medically under-served communities and populations.

DEHAP

This act establishes the Disabled Employee's Health Assistance Program (DEHAP), which is authorized by the federal Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act.

This act allows Medicaid eligibility for an employed person who meets the definition of disabled, satisfies asset limits, and who has an annual income of up to 250 percent of the federal poverty level.

The asset limit for the new program is the same as that for the Medical Assistance – Permanently and Totally Disabled (MA-PTD) program, currently $999.99 for a single person and $2,000 for a couple with the standard exemptions. The available asset limit does not include medical savings accounts or independent living accounts. The individual must have a gross income of 250 percent or less of the federal poverty level. Individuals with gross income in excess of one hundred percent of the federal poverty level shall pay a specified monthly premium for participation. For income to qualify as earned income for the purposes of this program, the individual must demonstrate that Social Security and Medicare taxes are paid on the earnings.

If an individual's employer offers health insurance that is more cost effective, the individual shall participate in the employer-sponsored insurance. The Department of Social Services, however, will be responsible for costs associated with the employer insurance.

MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY FOR SHELTERED WORKSHOP EMPLOYEES

This act also provides that as to the permanent and totally disabled population, any income derived through certified extended employment at a sheltered workshop shall not be considered as income for determining Medicaid eligibility.

CHIPS

This act modifies the definition of "affordable employer-sponsored health insurance" to provide that such insurance refers to health insurance plans that cover all pre-existing conditions that require a monthly premium less than or equal to a sliding scale from 70% to 100% of the monthly average premium required in the state's current Missouri consolidated health care plan.

This act has an emergency clause to be in full force and effect on July 1, 2006 for the DEHAP, CHIPS, and sheltered workshop provisions. The emergency clause for the Joint Committee on Health and Healthcare Technology Fund provision shall be in effect upon this act's passage and approval. In addition, the provisions of DEHAP shall expire on June 30, 2008.

ADRIANE CROUSE

SA 1 - MODIFIES PROVISIONS PERTAINING TO MEDICAID FRAUD

SA 2 - MODIFIES DEFINITION OF AFFORDABLE EMPLOYER-SPONSORED HEALTH INSURANCE IN THE CHIPS PROGRAM AS IT RELATES TO PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS

SSA 1 TO SA 3 - MODIFIES PROVISIONS PERTAINING TO THE PERSONAL CARE ASSISTANCE SERVICES PROGRAM FOR NON-MEDICAID ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS

SA 4 - ADDS A FUNDS TRANSFER PROVISION TO THE HEALTH CARE TECHNOLOGY FUND PROVISION