Speech #1090101612

Also. under the conference agreement. states may exercise this option only for eligibility groups that were established under the state plan before the date of enactment of this option. The conference agreement drops mandatory children under 18 (uider Section 1902(a)(10)(A)(i) from the list of groups exempted from this option. The conference agreement also expands the list of specified groups that would be exempted from benchmark coverage to include: (1) individuals who qualify for Medicaid under the state plan on the basis of being blind or disabled regardless of whether the individual is eligible for SSI on such basis. including children with disabilities that meet SSI disability standards who require institutional care. but for whom care is delivered outside the institution. and the cost of that care does not exceed the otherwise applicable institutional care (also known as Katie Beckett or TEFRA children). (2) children in foster care receiving child welfare services (under Part B of Title IVi and children receiving foster care or adoption assistance under Part E of Title IV without regard to age. (3) individuals who qualify for Medicaid on the basis of receiving assistance under TANF (as in effect on or after the welfare reform effective date). (4) women in the breast and cervical cancer eligibility group (a technical change from the House bill). and (5) other "limited services beneficiaries." including certain tuberculosisinfected individuals. and legal and undocumented noncitizens who meet the financial and categorical requirements for Medicaid eligibility without regard to time in the U.S. and are eligible only for emergency medical services. The conference agreement also adds to the set of three benchmark benefit packages. a fourth option called "secretary approved coverage" which may include any other health benefits coverage that the Secretary determines will provide appropriate coverage for the population targeted to receive such coverage. Finally. the conference agreement changes the effective date of these provisions to January 1. 2007.