The bill, Substitute House Bill No. 5371, introduced as File No. 284, mandates the Commissioner of Social Services to conduct a study on how to maximize Medicaid funding and other state and federal funding sources to address gaps in health care services in the state. The study is to focus on ensuring adequate funding for specific areas: remote fetal monitoring, peer support services for substance use disorder treatment, services for uninsured victims of violence, and Medicaid waiver program services for terminally ill children with severe health challenges, including rare genetic conditions.

The Commissioner is required to submit a report on the findings of the study to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly with jurisdiction over human services matters by December 1, 2024. The bill specifies that this act will take effect upon passage and will create a new section in the law. The fiscal impact statement attached to the bill indicates that there will be no state or municipal impact, as the Department of Social Services (DSS) already possesses the necessary expertise to conduct the study. The bill received a Joint Favorable Substitute designation from the Human Services Committee with a vote of 13 in favor and 8 against on March 19, 2024.