Second Regular Session
              Sixty-eighth General Assembly
                    STATE OF COLORADO
                                                 INTRODUCED
                                                           
                                                           
 LLS NO. 12-0048.01 Brita Darling x2241  SENATE BILL 12-032
                   SENATE SPONSORSHIP
 Brophy,
 
                    HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
 (None),
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Senate Committees
 House Committees
 
 
 Health and Human Services
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                         A BILL FOR AN ACT
       Concerning reforms to state-administered health care
            assistance programs by seeking federal authorization
            to allow the state greater flexibility in the
            management of the programs.
       
       
                           Bill Summary
       
            (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does
       not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill
       passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that
       applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at
       http://www.leg.state.co.us/billsummaries.)
       
            The bill requires the department of health care policy and
       financing (state department) to seek a federal waiver to allow for
       increased flexibility and efficiency in the management of the medicaid
       program and the children's basic health plan. 
            The waiver will seek authorization to determine eligibility
       categories and income levels and to establish an asset test for eligibility,
       implement cost-sharing and premiums, encourage the use of private
       health benefits coverage, and encourage persons to maintain
       employer-sponsored health insurance. As part of the waiver, the state
       department may negotiate for capped federal reimbursements with
       provisions for adjustments in the federal reimbursements for population
       growth and inflation. 
            The state department shall report to the general assembly
       concerning the waiver request and identify necessary changes to state law
       to implement the reforms requested in the waiver. 
       
       
       
       Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
            SECTION 1.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 25.5-4-504 as
       follows:
            25.5-4-504. Federal authorization - report. (1) (a)  On or
       before September 1, 2012, the state department shall seek a
       federal waiver of provisions of the federal "Social Security
       Act" authorizing increased flexibility and efficiency in the
       management of Colorado's medical assistance program. The
       waiver shall be designed to reform the medical assistance
       program and the children's basic health plan by seeking
       authorization to:
            (I)  Determine program eligibility, including eligibility
       categories and income levels, and establish an asset test for
       eligibility;
            (II)  Allow for informed consumer behavior and
       appropriate utilization of health services through reasonable
       cost-sharing and premiums;
            (III)  Encourage the use of the private health benefits
       coverage market rather than public benefits systems; and
            (IV)  Encourage persons who have access to private
       employer-based health benefits to obtain and maintain those
       benefits.
            (b)  In seeking federal authorization pursuant to this
       section for the reform of the medical assistance program and
       children's basic health plan, the state department is authorized
       to negotiate a cap on federal reimbursements to the state with
       provisions for adjustments due to population growth and
       inflation.
            (2)  The state department shall:
            (a)  Report to the health and environment committee of
       the house of representatives, or its successor committee, and to
       the health and human services committee of the senate, or its
       successor committee, concerning federal authorization
       pursuant to subsection (1) of this section  for the reform of the
       medical assistance program and the children's basic health
       plan; and
            (b)  Identify necessary changes to state law to implement
       reforms pursuant to the federal authorization.
            SECTION 2.  Safety clause. The general assembly hereby finds,
       determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate
       preservation of the public peace, health, and safety.