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SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 16
(By Senators Plymale, Bailey, Unger, Prezioso, Snyder, Kessler, Minard, Anderson, Fanning, Edgell, Sharpe, Ross, Hunter, Rowe, Love, Caldwell, Burnette, Redd, Boley, Deem, Sprouse, Minear, McCabe, Bowman, Wooton, Craigo, Mitchell, Facemyer, Helmick and Tomblin, Mr. President)

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the feasibility of implementing a Medicaid buy-in for people with disabilities.

Whereas, Only three percent of the people receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in West Virginia work and only the state of Alabama has a lower percentage of SSI working recipients; and

Whereas, Many West Virginians with disabilities are forced to choose between maintaining needed health care coverage under Medicaid or becoming independent and productive by working; and

Whereas, The risk of losing necessary health care coverage under Medicaid is a significant disincentive for people with disabilities to work; and

Whereas, Some West Virginians with disabilities are forced to spend their income on out-of-pocket medical expenses before qualifying for Medicaid coverage and this spending may constitute up to one half of their income; and

Whereas, Establishing a Medicaid buy-in program in West Virginia would allow West Virginians with disabilities to work without jeopardizing their health care coverage; and

Whereas, A Medicaid buy-in would allow West Virginians with disabilities to maintain their health care coverage despite exceeding earned income limits under SSI and §1619(b) of the Social Security Act; and

Whereas, A Medicaid buy-in would allow persons with disabilities to contribute substantially to West Virginia's tax base; and

Whereas, West Virginians who participate in a Medicaid buy-in would pay premiums and co-pays based on a sliding-scale fee according to income and these premiums would offset the cost of the program; and

Whereas, Research has shown that being employed lowers the utilization of acute health care services under Medicaid by persons with disabilities; and

Whereas, A Medicaid buy-in would cover services needed by people with severe disabilities that are not available under other health insurance policies; and

Whereas, Most people who would choose to participate in a Medicaid buy-in are currently Medicaid recipients which would limit any fiscal impact of implementing a buy-in program; and

Whereas, The Medicaid buy-in option was authorized by the federal government in 1997 and was broadened under the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to review, examine and study the feasibility of implementing a Medicaid buy-in program for people with disabilities; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2003, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.