Our View of the Legislature: Medicaid

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January 17, 2023January 17, 2023
by Colleen Millerin 2023 Legislative Highlights, Legislative Highlightstags , , , , , , , , , ,

The mission of the disAbility Law Center of Virginia is to advance independence, choice and self-determination; protect legal, human and civil rights; and eliminate abuse, neglect and discrimination of people with disabilities through zealous and uncompromising legal advocacy and representation. Medicaid is an important state program that enables many people with disabilities to live more independent and integrated live. The legislature is considering some bills that modify how Medicaid operates, including:

  • HB 1452 (Orrock) creates a Medicaid Fraud Control Unit within the Office of the Attorney General, with special investigative and enforcement authority. The bill was heard by a subcommittee of House Courts of Justice but had some opposition. The subcommittee decided to hold it over the next meeting in order to resolve some of the issues.
  • HB 1512 (Adams) directs the Department of Medical Assistance Services to change the state plan to be able to pay for motorized wheelchairs in nursing homes. The bill has a fiscal impact, but the statement has not yet been filed. The bill was approved by a subcommittee of House Health, Welfare and Institutions and will go to the full committee, probably next Tuesday. We expect the bill to go then to House Appropriations.
  • HB 1599 (Wachsmann) and SB 831 (Favola) direct the Department of Medical Assistance Services to amend the Family and Individual Supports, Community Living, and Building Independence waivers to implement a medically-needy spend down provision that allows otherwise eligible individuals to spend income in excess of the income limit for waiver services on medical expenses in order to meet the waiver income limit. The House Bill is assigned to the House Committee on Appropriations, HHR subcommittee. The Senate bill is in Senate Rules

The disAbility Law Center of Virginia will follow Medicaid-related bills throughout the session. We are available to educate policy makers about the potential impact of legislative proposals. Please let us know of any issues that you think we should be following. Contact us at ga@dlcv.org or info@dlcv.org or by calling 1-800- 552-3962 or 804-225-2042.