The bill amends the Social Welfare Act of 1939, specifically section 109, to update the medical services eligible individuals can receive. Key changes include the requirement that the period of inpatient hospital service "must" be the minimum necessary for proper care, replacing the previous language that stated it "shall" be. Additionally, the term "physicians" is changed to "physician" in the context of authorized services, and the bill introduces new provisions for nursing home services, including a detailed framework for county maintenance of effort rates based on updated variable costs. The bill also extends the deadline for certain reimbursement rates from 2025 to 2030.

Furthermore, the bill expands the list of medical services to include pharmaceutical services, psychiatric care, and medically necessary detoxification for opioid use disorder, among others. It mandates that the director must notify the public and obtain legislative approval for any proposed changes in reimbursement methods that would significantly affect payments. Overall, the amendments aim to enhance the clarity and effectiveness of medical service provisions under the Social Welfare Act while ensuring compliance with federal regulations.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 400.109