CA SB 1355

Title: Medi-Cal: in-home supportive services: redetermination.
Author: Aisha Wahab

Summary
SB 1355, as amended, Wahab. Medi-Cal: in-home supportive services: redetermination. Existing law establishes the Medi-Cal program, which is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services, under which qualified low-income individuals receive health care services, including in-home supportive services. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed and funded by federal Medicaid program provisions. Existing law generally requires a county to redetermine a Medi-Cal beneficiary’s eligibility to receive Medi-Cal benefits every 12 months and whenever the county receives information about changes in a beneficiary’s circumstances that may affect their eligibility for Medi-Cal benefits.Existing law provides for the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program, administered by the State Department of Social Services and counties, under which qualified aged, blind, and disabled persons are provided with supportive services in order to permit them to remain in their own homes. Existing law authorizes certain Medi-Cal beneficiaries to receive IHSS as a covered Medi-Cal benefit.This bill would, to the extent that any necessary federal approvals are obtained, and federal financial participation is available and not otherwise jeopardized, require an IHSS recipient to be continuously eligible for Medi-Cal for 3 years, if they have a fixed income, and would prohibit a redetermination of Medi-Cal eligibility before 3 years, except as specified. The bill would make the implementation of its provisions contingent upon the department obtaining all necessary federal approvals, the department determining that systems have been programmed to implement these provisions, and the Legislature has appropriated funding to implement these provisions after a determination that ongoing General Fund resources are available to support the ongoing implementation of these provisions. To the extent the bill would increase county duties in administrating the IHSS program, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Status
From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

Bill Documents
CA SB 1355 - 04/25/24 - Amended Senate
04/25/24 - CA SB 1355 (04/25/24 - Amended Senate)