2005 Testimony

Testimony Before The Senate Human Services Committee

Judy Lee, Chairman

SB 2159 - Rules for medical assistance and the State Children's Health Insurance Program

January 18, 2005

Chairman Lee, members of the committee, I am Maggie Anderson, Assistant Director of Medical Services, for the Department of Human Services. I am here in support of SB 2159.

The Healthy Steps to Vision system project included reviewing Medicaid and Healthy Steps rules in an attempt to simplify eligibility rules, and to make the rules and processing the same wherever possible. The policies identified for change allowed us to simplify and clarify policy for applicants and recipients, to simplify the system processing, and will allow for a smoother transition of existing Healthy Steps cases into Vision.

Needed changes were identified throughout the design phase of the project, which recently ended. The project is scheduled for completion in June 2005, which does not allow enough time for the rules to be changed through the normal rule process. Without interim final rules by June, the roll out of the project could be delayed, which would not allow other system projects or enhancements to begin.

For these reasons, and because none of the rule changes should negatively impact any applicants or recipients, the department respectfully recommends a DO PASS on this bill. Thank you.

I would be happy to respond to any questions you may have.

 

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