The bill proposes amendments to the "Health Care for Elderly and Disabled Residents Act" in the General Laws. It authorizes the Department of Human Services to revise the state's Title XIX plan to expand categorically needy medical assistance coverage. The amendments include the deletion of the age requirement of 65 years or older for disabled individuals and an increase in the income eligibility threshold from 100% to 180% of the federal poverty level for both disabled individuals and those aged 65 or older. The resource limits for eligibility remain at $4,000 for an individual and $6,000 for a couple.

Additionally, the bill ensures that the medical assistance coverage provided to these newly eligible individuals will be of the same amount, duration, and scope as that provided to other categorically needy persons under the state's Title XIX plan. The bill is set to take effect upon passage. The explanation by the Legislative Council clarifies that the act's purpose is to increase the income limits for disabled individuals to 180% of the federal poverty level to qualify for medical assistance coverage.

Statutes affected:
7028: 40-8.5-1