HCS HB 2354 -- HEALTH CARE BENEFITS AND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

SPONSOR:  Portwood

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

This substitute changes the laws regarding health care benefits
and medical assistance.

INCOME TAX CREDIT FOR MODIFICATIONS TO A HOME OF A DISABLED
PERSON

The substitute increases the cap from $100,000 to $1 million for
the income tax credit for certain individuals for the costs of
modifications to make a disabled person's home accessible if
there are available tax credits remaining from the tax credit for
businesses relocating to a distressed community.

TICKET TO WORK HEALTH ASSURANCE PROGRAM

Currently, to determine net income for eligibility under the
Ticket to Work Health Assurance Program, the first $50 of Social
Security Disability Income payments is disregarded.  The
substitute increases the disregarded income to the first $250.

MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM PROVIDER REIMBURSEMENT

The substitute specifies that under the MO HealthNet Program, the
successor to the Missouri Medicaid Program, providers can receive
enhanced reimbursement for certain services.  Subject to
appropriations, the enhanced rate will be 100% of the federal
Medicare reimbursement rate for new patients and established
patients.  In order to qualify for the enhanced reimbursement,
the provider must:

(1)  Become the health care home for a MO HealthNet patient;

(2)  Complete a patient history and consultation for the patient;
and

(3)  File a treatment plan for the patient.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Cost on General Revenue Fund of Unknown
but Greater than $21,618,312 in FY 2009, Unknown but Greater than
$27,057,245 in FY 2010, and Unknown but Greater than $28,270,321
in FY 2011.  No impact on Other State Funds in FY 2009, FY 2010,
and FY 2011.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that adjusting the Social Security
Disability Insurance disregard will allow eligible participants
to work more; changes to the tax credit for home modifications
will prevent people from having to increase the services they
use; and modifying physician reimbursement rates will be an
incentive for physicians to see more MO HealthNet Program
patients.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Portwood; Paraquad,
Incorporated; National Multiple Sclerosis Society; Missouri
Catholic Conference; Missouri Voice of the Retarded;
Bellefontaine Parent Association; Greater St. Louis Parent
Association; and Higginsville Parent Association.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated October 15, 2008 at 3:12 pm