A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 32.1 a chapter numbered 13.01, consisting of a section numbered 32.1-353.01, relating to comprehensive children's health care coverage program.
HB280 would create a new state-funded comprehensive children’s health care coverage program within the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS). The program would cover individuals under age 19 in Virginia who are not already covered by a group health plan, health insurance, or eligible for Medicaid or CHIP, and it would provide benefits consistent with the coverage available to children under the state Medicaid plan. The bill directs DMAS to administer the program through a centralized processing site, with outreach, eligibility determinations, enrollment, data collection, and the option to use third-party administrators.
The bill also requires the state to make program information accessible to people with limited English proficiency and individuals with disabilities, and it imposes confidentiality protections on information collected through the program. In particular, it restricts disclosure of program information for civil immigration enforcement purposes unless the individual consents or a lawful judicial order, subpoena, or warrant is presented, and it requires notice to the affected person within three business days of such a request. The bill further instructs DMAS to seek federal waivers and approvals to maximize federal financial participation in the program’s costs.
HB280 would add a new chapter to Title 32.1 of the Code of Virginia and create a new state-administered children’s coverage program for uninsured minors who are not otherwise eligible for public coverage. It would expand the responsibilities of DMAS, establish new administrative and outreach functions, and create statutory confidentiality and anti-disclosure rules tied to immigration enforcement requests. The bill also seeks to leverage federal funding through waivers and other approvals, which could affect how the program is financed and implemented.
Based on the available context, the bill appears to have support from its patrons but did not advance out of the House Health and Human Services Committee, where it was left in committee. Because there are no recorded votes or committee transcripts provided, the overall sentiment can only be inferred from the bill’s introduction and sponsorship: it was introduced as a policy proposal aimed at expanding children’s health coverage, but it did not receive enough committee momentum to move forward.
The main points of potential contention are likely the creation of a new state-funded coverage program for uninsured children, the fiscal impact of expanding benefits to a broader population, and the bill’s immigration-related confidentiality provisions. Supporters would likely emphasize access to care, outreach, and coverage for uninsured children, while opponents may focus on cost, administrative complexity, and the restrictions on sharing information with law enforcement or immigration authorities. The requirement that DMAS seek federal waivers also suggests uncertainty about funding and implementation, which may have contributed to the bill being left in committee.