HCS HB 39 -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE FOR EMPLOYED PERSONS WITH
DISABILITIES

SPONSOR:  Portwood

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Special Committee on
Ticket to Work by a vote of 8 to 0.

This substitute requires the Department of Social Services to
determine the eligibility of an employed disabled person
requesting medical assistance whose family gross income is less
than 250% of the federal poverty level.  The substitute:

(1)  Requires that an individual meet the definition of a
disabled person under the federal Supplemental Security Income
Program or of an employed individual with a medically improved
disability under the federal Ticket to Work and Work Incentives
Improvement Act of 1999;

(2)  Requires an individual who has a net income that does not
exceed the limit for permanent and totally disabled individuals
to receive non-spenddown Missouri Medicaid Program benefits;

(3)  Requires any participant whose gross income exceeds 100% of
the federal poverty level to pay a premium for participation in
this program;

(4)  Requires an individual to participate in an
employer-sponsored health insurance plan if the department
determines that it is more cost effective;

(5)  Exempts any income earned through certified extended
employment at a sheltered workshop for the purpose of determining
eligibility; and

(6)  Exempts deposits of up to $5,000 per year into a medical
savings and/or an independent living account from the asset
limits for eligibility.

The provisions of the substitute will expire three years from the
effective date.

The substitute contains an emergency clause.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Cost on General Revenue Fund of
$10,557,555 in FY 2008, $11,019,547 in FY 2009, and $11,513,667
in FY 2010.  No impact on Other State Funds in FY 2008, FY 2009,
and FY 2010.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill is important for
employed disabled persons because it offers them an opportunity
to escape poverty and to participate in society while maintaining
health care coverage.  The bill reduces fear associated with
returning to work, reduces an employer's fear of hiring a
disabled person, and increases self sufficiency.  The sheltered
workshop income exemption is seen as a benefit, as it reduces an
individual's need to choose between working and obtaining
medication.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Portwood; National
Multiple Sclerosis Society; Missouri Association of
Rehabilitation Facilities; Disabled Citizens Alliance for
Independence; Edward Duff; Greater St. Louis Parent Association;
Missouri Voice of the Retarded; Mental Retardation Association of
Missouri; Missouri Association of Sheltered Workshop Managers;
Wayne Lee, Epilepsy Education Organization; Epilepsy Foundation
of the St. Louis Region; Missouri Association for Community
Action, Incorporated; Missouri Catholic Conference; and Paraquad,
Incorporated.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated July 25, 2007 at 11:17 am