HB1012:

Children; comprehensive health care coverage program.

Bill Summary:

Comprehensive children's health care
coverage program. Directs the Department of Medical Assistance Services
(the Department) to establish a program to provide state-funded comprehensive
health care coverage for individuals in the Commonwealth who (i) are under 19 years of age, (ii)
are not covered under a group health plan or health insurance coverage,
and (iii) but for their immigration status would be
eligible for medical assistance services through the Commonwealth's program of
medical assistance services established pursuant to Title XIX or XXI of the
Social Security Act. The bill also requires the Department to ensure that all
program information is made available in a manner that is accessible to
individuals with limited English proficiency through the provision of language
access services, including oral interpretation and written translations, free
of charge, and to ensure that information obtained by the program remains
confidential and is not disclosed for any purpose not related to the administration
of the program or any purpose related to civil immigration enforcement unless
the subject of the information consents to such disclosure or the requesting
agency presents a valid judicial order, subpoena, or warrant.

The bill also requires the Department
to establish a workgroup composed of individuals with
experience conducting outreach to individuals who are eligible for the
program established by the bill to advise and assist the Department in carrying
out marketing and outreach activities required by the bill, and to seek all
federal waivers and other approvals necessary to maximize federal financial
participation in the cost of carrying out the program established by the bill.