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A07180 Memo:

NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY
MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION
submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
 
BILL NUMBER: A7180
 
SPONSOR: Bichotte Hermelyn
  TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the social services law, in relation to medical assist- ance eligibility of infants up to the age of three years   PURPOSE: To extend continuous Medicaid coverage of infants from up to one year to up to three years.   SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS: Section 1 amends Social Services Law section 366 (1) (b) (2) to increase the age of infants eligible for Medicaid with a family income of up to the MAGI-equivalent of 200% of the federal poverty line from up to 1 year old to up to 3 years old. It also makes a conforming amendment in subparagraph (3). § 2 amends Social Services Law section.366 (4) (b) (2) and (4) to increase the age of infants eligible to remain on Medicaid because of their mother's eligibility during pregnancy at up to 200% of the MAGI-e- quivalent of the federal poverty line from 1 year old to 3 years old. § 3 is the effective date: 180 days after it becomes law.   JUSTIFICATION: Continuity of health care coverage during infancy is incredibly impor- tant, and this bill will ensure that babies eligible for Medicaid cover- age at birth continue to receive coverage until they are three years' old. Current law cuts many babies' coverage off at 1 year old. The first 1,000 days are critical to healthy brain development, physical development and social development of infants and toddlers. Having stable health coverage will help ensure that all babies have comprehen- sive and dependable pediatric care. It will support parents as they establish trusted relationships with their child's pediatrician. The current annual re-enrollment requirement results in churning (dropping off of Medicaid for a period of time before re-enrolling) and ultimately a loss of coverage. Churning creates unstable care and interrupts posi- tive relationships between parents, children, and pediatricians. In general, infant and toddler health care is low cost and highly effec- tive. Since New York Medicaid already covers the first year of the infant's health care, the cost of adding years two and three will be minimal, and doing so will reduce the administrative and financial burdens of losing and re-enrolling in coverage. This expansion will improve the health of thousands of babies across the state over their entire lifespans.   LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: New Bill   FISCAL IMPLICATIONS: TBD   EFFECTIVE DATE: This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the commissioner of health shall make regulations and take actions reasonably necessary to implement this act on that date, including taking all steps necessary and using best efforts to secure federal financial participation for eligible beneficiaries under title XIX of the social security act, for the purposes of this act, including the prompt submission of appropriate amendments to the medical assistance state plan.
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