Bill H.558 proposes to transfer the sole authority over the Medicaid school-based services program to the Agency of Human Services in Vermont. The bill aims to enhance the state's ability to maximize federal reimbursement for medically related services provided to eligible students under Title XIX of the Social Security Act. It establishes a new section, 33 V.S.A. 1904, which outlines the responsibilities of the Agency of Human Services in ensuring program compliance and the coordination of the school-based medical assistance program with the Agency of Education. Additionally, a new School-Based Medicaid Reimbursement Fund is created to manage federal reimbursements, with specific allocations for supervisory unions and administrative costs for the Agencies of Education and Human Services.

The bill also amends existing law by replacing the previous Medicaid receipts framework with updated provisions that emphasize compliance and coordination between agencies. It specifies that supervisory unions will receive funds from the new reimbursement fund to cover reasonable costs associated with administering the Medicaid school-based services program. The bill includes provisions for the Agencies of Education and Human Services to adopt rules regarding the use of these funds and the requirements for supervisory unions. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 16-2959a