The proposed legislation, General Assembly Raised Bill No. 7103, aims to enhance access to the Katie Beckett Medicaid waiver program for children with complex and severe illnesses or conditions. A significant change in the bill is the adjustment of the age limit for eligibility from twenty-one to eighteen years old, allowing younger individuals to benefit from the program. The bill mandates the Commissioner of Social Services to administer a Medicaid waiver program that provides home and community-based services for eligible individuals who have physical disabilities and may also have developmental disabilities, contingent upon meeting financial eligibility criteria.

Additionally, the bill introduces several new provisions, including the establishment of a dedicated website for the Katie Beckett Waiver Program, which will provide essential information and resources for potential applicants. The Department of Social Services is tasked with creating and distributing informational brochures about the program to medical providers and ensuring that updates about the program are communicated to Medicaid-enrolled providers annually. Furthermore, the Commissioner is required to develop a five-year plan to eliminate the waiting list for the program and to include home modification coverage for participants. A report detailing this plan and the necessary state appropriations will be submitted to relevant legislative committees by October 1, 2025.

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