Connecticut looking to offer Medicaid/CHIP coverage to more undocumented residents

Connecticut House Bill 6616 was introduced to the state House in February with a total of 13 cosponsors (all Democrats). Since then it's had a public hearing and has been reported favorably out of the legislative commissioners' office and to the House Appropriations Committee.

The bill seems to expand Medicaid and/or CHIP eligibility ("Husky A, B or D") to a significant number of undocumented children in the state, but it's rather densely worded, making it difficult for me to be certain just how far up the age range it applies. However, according to Louise Norris, it would extend it from the current 12-year old limit for undocumented children up to age 20 by January 2024 and age 25 by later that year, as long as their household income is still below the thresholds currently in place for those populations:

Section 17b-261 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2024):

(a) Medical assistance shall be provided for any otherwise eligible person (1) whose income, including any available support from legally liable relatives and the income of the person's spouse or dependent child, is not more than one hundred forty-three per cent, pending approval of a federal waiver applied for pursuant to subsection (e) of this section, of the benefit amount paid to a person with no income under the temporary family assistance program, and (2) if such person is an institutionalized individual as defined in Section 1917 of the Social Security Act, 42 USC 1396p(h)(3), and has not made an assignment or transfer or other disposition of property for less than fair market value for the purpose of establishing eligibility for benefits or assistance under this section.

Any such disposition shall be treated in accordance with Section 1917(c) of the Social Security Act, 42 USC 1396p(c). Any disposition of property made on behalf of an applicant or recipient or the spouse of an applicant or recipient by a guardian, conservator, person authorized to make such disposition pursuant to a power of attorney or other person so authorized by law shall be attributed to such applicant, recipient or spouse. A disposition of property ordered by a court shall be evaluated in accordance with the standards applied to any other such disposition for the purpose of determining eligibility. The commissioner shall establish the standards for eligibility for medical assistance at one hundred forty-three per cent of the benefit amount paid to a household of equal size with no income under the temporary family assistance program. In determining eligibility, the commissioner shall not consider as income Aid and Attendance pension benefits granted to a veteran, as defined in section 27-103, or the surviving spouse of such veteran. Except as provided in section 17b-277 and section 17b-292 , as amended by this act , the medical assistance program shall provide coverage to persons under the age of nineteen with household income up to one hundred ninety-six per cent of the federal poverty level without an asset limit and to persons under the age of nineteen, who qualify for coverage under Section 1931 of the Social Security Act, with household income not exceeding one hundred ninety-six per cent of the federal poverty level without an asset limit, and their parents and needy caretaker relatives, who qualify for coverage under Section 1931 of the Social Security Act, with household income not exceeding one hundred fifty- five per cent of the federal poverty level without an asset limit.

...Sec. 2.

(NEW) (Effective January 1, 2024) (a) The Commissioner of Social Services shall, within available appropriations, provide state- funded medical assistance to any person eighteen years of age and younger, regardless of immigration status, (1) who, except for immigration status, otherwise would qualify for HUSKY A, C or D, as defined in section 17b-290 of the general statutes, and (2) who does not otherwise qualify for the Children's Health Insurance Program, or an offer of affordable, employer-sponsored insurance, as defined in the Affordable Care Act, as an employee or a dependent of an employee. (b) The Commissioner of Social Services shall study the costs and benefits of providing medical assistance to any person twenty-five years of age and younger, regardless of immigration status, (1) who, except for immigration status, otherwise would qualify for HUSKY A, C or D, as defined in section 17b-290 of the general statutes, and (2) who does not otherwise qualify for the Children's Health Insurance Program, or an offer of affordable, employer-sponsored insurance, as defined in the Affordable Care Act, as an employee or a dependent of an employee. Not later than July 1, 2024, the commissioner shall file a report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to appropriations and the budgets of state agencies and human services on (A) the costs and benefits of providing medical assistance to such persons, and (B) a plan to implement medical assistance to such persons.

Sec. 3.

. Subsection (a) of section 17b-292 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2024):

(a) A child who resides in a household with household income that exceeds one hundred ninety-six per cent of the federal poverty level but does not exceed three hundred eighteen per cent of the federal poverty level may be eligible for benefits under HUSKY B. Not later than January 1, 2023, the The Commissioner of Social Services shall, within available appropriations, provide state-funded medical assistance to any child twelve eighteen years of age and younger, regardless of immigration status, (1) with a household income that exceeds two hundred one per cent of the federal poverty level but does not exceed three hundred twenty-three per cent of the federal poverty level, and (2) who does not otherwise qualify for Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program, or an offer of affordable, employer-sponsored insurance, as defined in the Affordable Care Act, as an employee or a dependent of an employee. A child eligible for such assistance under this subsection shall continue to receive such assistance until such child is nineteen years of age, provided the child continues to meet the eligibility requirements prescribed in subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection.

This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections: Section 1 January 1, 2024