1     
CHILDREN'S HEALTH COVERAGE AMENDMENTS

2     
2022 GENERAL SESSION

3     
STATE OF UTAH

4     
Chief Sponsor: Luz Escamilla

5     
House Sponsor: Mike Schultz

6     

7     LONG TITLE
8     General Description:
9          This bill directs the Department of Health to expand eligibility for all Utah children
10     under Medicaid and CHIP.
11     Highlighted Provisions:
12          This bill:
13          ▸     directs the Department of Health to expand eligibility for the Medicaid and
14     Children's Health Insurance Program to include all Utah children, including those
15     who do not currently qualify.
16     Money Appropriated in this Bill:
17          None
18     Other Special Clauses:
19          None
20     Utah Code Sections Affected:
21     ENACTS:
22          26-18-29, Utah Code Annotated 1953
23          26-40-117, Utah Code Annotated 1953
24     

25     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
26          Section 1. Section 26-18-29 is enacted to read:
27          26-18-29. Continuous eligibility for children -- Coverage to all Utah children.

28          (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, the department shall permit an
29     enrollee who is 18 years old or younger to remain in the Medicaid program for a 12-month
30     certification period, as that certification period is defined by the department.
31          (2) The department shall, in accordance with this section, expand eligibility for the
32     Medicaid program to all children in the state who:
33          (a) are 18 years old or younger;
34          (b) are otherwise ineligible for federal financial participation; and
35          (c) meet the income requirement for coverage under the Medicaid program.
36          (3) The department shall expand eligibility for Medicaid under Subsection (2) on the
37     earlier of:
38          (a) when the department determines that systems have been programmed for
39     implementation of this section; and
40          (b) July 1, 2023.
41          (4) (a) An individual who is eligible for coverage under the Medicaid program under
42     Subsection (2) shall be eligible for the full scope of Medicaid benefits that the individual would
43     otherwise receive if the individual was otherwise eligible for federal financial participation.
44          (b) An individual who is eligible under Subsection (2) shall be required to enroll in a
45     Medicaid managed care delivery system, where implemented.
46          (c) The department shall:
47          (i) seek any necessary federal approvals to obtain federal financial participation in
48     implementing this section; and
49          (ii) maximize federal financial participation in implementing this section.
50          (5) Section 26-18-18 does not apply to a change in eligibility under this section.
51          Section 2. Section 26-40-117 is enacted to read:
52          26-40-117. CHIP eligibility -- Coverage to all Utah children.
53          (1) Notwithstanding Subsection 26-40-105(1), the department shall, in accordance with
54     this section, expand eligibility for the program to all children in the state who:
55          (a) are 18 years old or younger;
56          (b) are otherwise ineligible for federal financial participation; and
57          (c) meet the income requirement for coverage under the program.
58          (2) The department shall expand eligibility for the program under Subsection (1) on the

59     earlier of:
60          (a) when the department determines that systems have been programmed for
61     implementation of this section; and
62          (b) July 1, 2023.
63          (3) (a) An individual who is eligible for coverage under the program under Subsection
64     (1) shall be eligible for the full scope of benefits that the individual would otherwise receive if
65     the individual was otherwise eligible for federal financial participation.
66          (b) The department shall:
67          (i) seek any necessary federal approvals to obtain federal financial participation in
68     implementing this section; and
69          (ii) maximize federal financial participation in implementing this section.