HB 1491 -- MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

SPONSOR:  Walton

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on
Veterans  by a vote of 11 to 0.

This bill requires the Family Support Division of the Department
of Social Services to determine whether an individual who is
applying for Missouri Medicaid Program benefits is eligible for
federal medical services from the Missouri Veterans Commission.
If an applicant or recipient is eligible for the federal medical
services, the division must urge the person to utilize these
benefits.  The division must consult with the commission
regarding a method that can be used to determine whether an
individual who receives state medical assistance is eligible for
the federal benefits.  The bill does not require an individual to
exhaust any federal veterans' benefits prior to receiving state
medical assistance.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2007, FY 2008, and
FY 2009.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill could save the state
more than $5 million by reducing the burden on Missouri's
Medicaid Program.  When a person enters a nursing home, the
Division of Family Services is required to ask if the individual
is a veteran.  If the person is a veteran, the division will
encourage him or her to sign up for federally funded veterans'
benefits, instead of opting to receive state-funded Medicaid
benefits.

Testifying for the bill was Representative Walton.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Alice Hurley, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated November 29, 2006 at 9:43 am