AB277: Bill Text

LRB-0710/2

KSH:kmg:kaf

1995 - 1996 LEGISLATURE

1995 Assembly BILL 277

April 3, 1995 - Introduced by Representatives R. Young, Gronemus, L. Young, Robson, Bell, Boyle and Baldwin, cosponsored by Senators Wineke, Moore, Risser and Chvala. Referred to Committee on Welfare Reform.

AB277,1,3 An Act to amend 49.46 (1) (am) 1. b.; and to create 49.46 (1) (am) 3. of the statutes; relating to: the availability of medical assistance to children and pregnant women.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Under current law, medical assistance is available to any pregnant woman or any child under age 6, if the family income of the woman or child does not exceed, in state fiscal year 1994-95, 155% of the poverty line or, in each state fiscal year thereafter, 185% of the poverty line. This medical assistance eligibility is generally referred to as "healthy start". This bill requires the department of health and social services (DHSS) to request a change in the state's approved medical assistance plan to provide medical assistance eligibility to pregnant women and children under age 19, if the family income of the woman or child does not exceed 185% of the poverty line. If the change is approved, DHSS is required to provide medical assistance to these individuals beginning on July 1, 1996.

For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

AB277, s. 1 Section 1. 49.46 (1) (am) 1. b. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB277,2,2 49.46 (1) (am) 1. b. A child who is under 6 years of the age specified under subd. 3. and whose family income, before any income is disregarded under this paragraph, does not exceed, in state fiscal year 1994-95, 155% of the poverty line for a family the size of the child's family; and, in each state fiscal year after the 1994-95 state fiscal year, 185% of the poverty line for a family the size of the child's family.

AB277, s. 2 Section 2. 49.46 (1) (am) 3. of the statutes is created to read:

AB277,2,9 49.46 (1) (am) 3. The department shall request a change in the approved state plan for services under 42 USC 1396 to allow, pursuant to the authority granted under 42 USC 1396a (r) (2), the use of federal matching funds to provide medical assistance to cover children under subd. 1. b. who are under 19 years of age beginning on July 1, 1996. The age under subd. 1. b. shall be 6 years of age, unless the request has been approved, in which case the age under subd. 1. b. shall be 19 years of age.

AB277,2,10 (End)