The proposed bill, General Assembly Committee Bill No. 981, aims to expand Medicaid eligibility for older individuals and persons with disabilities by modifying existing legal language in section 17b-261 of the general statutes. The bill repeals the current subsection (a) and replaces it with new provisions that allow medical assistance for eligible individuals whose income does not exceed one hundred fifty-nine percent of the benefit amount paid to a person with no income under the temporary family assistance program. Additionally, the bill clarifies that any property disposition made on behalf of an applicant or recipient by authorized individuals will be attributed to the applicant or recipient, and it establishes that the commissioner will set eligibility standards based on this income threshold.

Furthermore, the bill introduces specific exclusions from income calculations, such as Aid and Attendance pension benefits for veterans and Title II income related to an individual's status as a disabled adult child under the Social Security Act. It also mandates that the Commissioner of Social Services provide applicants with written information regarding the impact of property dispositions and income limits on their eligibility for benefits. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and aims to enhance access to medical assistance for vulnerable populations while ensuring compliance with federal regulations.