SB461: Bill Text

LRB-4591/1

ISR:wlj:km

1999 - 2000 LEGISLATURE

1999 Senate BILL 461

March 9, 2000 - Introduced by Senators Moore, Rosenzweig and George, cosponsored by Representatives Riley, Walker, Lassa, Miller, Pocan, Gronemus, Boyle, Klusman and Berceau. Referred to Committee on Health, Utilities, Veterans and Military Affairs.

SB461,1,5 An Act to renumber 49.47 (4) (a) 2.; to amend 49.46 (1) (a) 1m., 49.46 (1) (a) 6., 49.46 (1) (a) 12., 49.47 (4) (a) 1., 49.47 (4) (b) 2m. a. and 49.47 (6) (a) 7.; and to create 49.47 (4) (ag) (intro.) and 49.47 (4) (ag) 1. of the statutes; relating to: eliminating the asset requirements for medical assistance eligibility for certain individuals.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Under current law, a child or pregnant woman is eligible for medical assistance (MA) if he or she meets certain income and asset requirements. Currently, a child or pregnant woman who would have been eligible to receive benefits under the former aid to families with dependent children (AFDC) program is eligible for MA if his or her assets do not exceed one automobile with an equity value of $1,500 and $1,000 in cash assets. A child under the age of six or a pregnant woman whose income does not exceed 185% of the federal poverty level or a child who is between the ages of six and 19 years of age and whose income does not exceed 133.33% of the maximum payment amount under the former AFDC program is eligible for MA if his or her assets do not exceed one home, one automobile and $2,000 in cash assets for a single individual, $3,000 in cash assets for a family of two plus $300 for each additional dependent family member.

This bill eliminates the asset requirements for MA eligibility for children under age 19 and pregnant women.

For further information see the state 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:

SB461, s. 1 Section 1. 49.46 (1) (a) 1m. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB461,2,5 49.46 (1) (a) 1m. Any pregnant woman who meets the resource and income limits under s. 49.19 (4) (bm) and (es) and whose pregnancy is medically verified. Eligibility continues to the last day of the month in which the 60th day after the last day of the pregnancy falls.

SB461, s. 2 Section 2. 49.46 (1) (a) 6. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB461,2,10 49.46 (1) (a) 6. Any person not described in pars. (c) to (e) who is, without regard to the individual's resources, would be considered, under federal law, to be receiving aid to families with dependent children for the purpose of determining eligibility for medical assistance.

SB461, s. 3 Section 3. 49.46 (1) (a) 12. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB461,2,13 49.46 (1) (a) 12. Any child not described under subd. 1. who is under 19 years of age and who meets the resource and income limits under s. 49.19 (4) (es).

SB461, s. 4 Section 4. 49.47 (4) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB461,2,17 49.47 (4) (a) 1. Under 18 At least 19 years of age but under 21 years of age or, if and the person resides in an intermediate care facility, skilled nursing facility or inpatient psychiatric hospital, under 21 years of age.

SB461, s. 5 Section 5. 49.47 (4) (a) 2. of the statutes is renumbered 49.47 (4) (ag) 2.

SB461, s. 6 Section 6. 49.47 (4) (ag) (intro.) of the statutes is created to read:

SB461,3,3 49.47 (4) (ag) (intro.) Any individual who meets the limitations on income under par. (c) and who complies with par. (cm) shall be eligible for medical assistance under this section if such individual is:

SB461, s. 7 Section 7. 49.47 (4) (ag) 1. of the statutes is created to read:

SB461,3,5 49.47 (4) (ag) 1. Under the age of 19.

SB461, s. 8 Section 8. 49.47 (4) (b) 2m. a. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB461,3,12 49.47 (4) (b) 2m. a. For persons who are eligible under par. (a) 1. or 2., one vehicle is exempt from consideration as an asset. A 2nd vehicle is exempt from consideration as an asset only if the department determines that it is necessary for the purpose of employment or to obtain medical care. The equity value of any nonexempt vehicles owned by the applicant is an asset for the purposes of determining eligibility for medical assistance under this section.

SB461, s. 9 Section 9. 49.47 (6) (a) 7. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB461,3,17 49.47 (6) (a) 7. Beneficiaries eligible under sub. (4) (a) 2. (ag) 2. or (am) 1., for services under s. 49.46 (2) (a) and (b) that are related to pregnancy, including postpartum services and family planning services, as defined in s. 253.07 (1) (b), or related to other conditions which may complicate pregnancy.

SB461,3,18 (End)