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1 H.681
2 Introduced by Representative Pajala of Londonderry
3 Referred to Committee on
4 Date:
5 Subject: Human services; Medicaid; nutrition services; home-delivered meals
6 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require the
7 Secretary of Human Services to apply for an amendment to Vermont’s Global
8 Commitment to Health Section 1115 demonstration to allow home-delivered
9 meals to be treated as a Medicaid covered service.
10 An act relating to home-delivered meals as a Medicaid covered service
11 It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
12 Sec. 1. FINDINGS
13 The General Assembly finds that:
14 (1) Vermont’s Global Commitment to Health Section 1115
15 demonstration provides for a suite of home- and community-based services to
16 assist persons who are elders and persons with disabilities maintain their
17 independence at home or in the community and avoid costly nursing home
18 placement.
19 (2) Serving individuals in the community:
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1 (A) has resulted in lower use of nursing homes and at a lower cost
2 than nursing care;
3 (B) achieves desirable health outcomes; and
4 (C) produces high consumer satisfaction.
5 (3) In addition to homemaker, attendant, adult day, home health, respite,
6 home access improvements, and transportation services, nutrition services are
7 important in enabling persons to remain in their homes and avoid
8 hospitalization and its associated higher costs.
9 (4) Home-delivered meals are not presently included in covered services
10 or plans of care under the Global Commitment to Health Section 1115
11 demonstration. The area agencies on aging (AAAs) are designated by the State
12 to coordinate and provide nutrition to homebound persons who are elders,
13 including home-delivered meals, congregate meals, and nutrition counseling.
14 (5) Approximately 32 states provide home-delivered meals as part of
15 reimbursable home- and community-based services under their Medicaid
16 waiver programs.
17 Sec. 2. HOME-DELIVERED MEALS
18 The Secretary of Human Services shall request approval from the Centers
19 for Medicare and Medicaid Services for an amendment to Vermont’s Global
20 Commitment to Health Section 1115 demonstration that allows home-
21 delivered meals to be a Medicaid covered service when the meals:
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1 (1) are part of a participant’s service plan of care; and
2 (2) meet Vermont’s area agencies on aging’s nutrition requirements in
3 accordance with the Older Americans Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 3001–3058ff.
4 Sec. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE
5 This act shall take effect on July 1, 2024.
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