HCS SCS SB 810 -- UTILICARE PROGRAM

SPONSOR:  Dougherty (Ladd Baker)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Social
Services, Medicaid and the Elderly by a vote of 11 to 0.

Currently, individuals must have a combined household income of
110% or less of the current federal poverty level to qualify for
the Utilicare Program.  This substitute raises the eligibility
level to 150% of the federal poverty level.  It also allows
eligibility to be based on household incomes that are 60% of the
state median income.  The substitute also increases the amount
that eligible households can receive from the Utilicare Fund for
heating and cooling from $150 to $600.  The substitute requires
the Department of Social Services to coordinate all federal
programs into the Utilicare Program.  It allows funds for the
Utilicare Program to come from any source, including federal
funds from the federal Community Opportunities Accountability and
Training and Educational Services Act, and it requires all funds
to be used for the Utilicare Program and for the federal Low
Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

The substitute also requires the Division of Family Services to
do a division of assets for married couples when determining
eligibility for supplemental nursing care payments when one
spouse is living in a residential care facility.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Effect to General Revenue Fund of a
Cost of $89,896 to an Income of $104,703 in FY 2003, a Cost of
$112,190 to an Income of $130,670 in FY 2004, and a Cost of
$116,679 to an Income of $135,897 in FY 2005.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the substitute makes state law
consistent with federal law.  It would allow more people to take
advantage of the assistance offered through the Utilicare
Program.  The $5 million cap on the program is retained in the
substitute.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Boucher; Senator
Bland; Laclede Gas; Keep Missourians Warm; Public Service
Commission; and Utilicorp United.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Amy Woods, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated October 11, 2002 at 9:04 am