Dori Healey — Representative Healy asks a series of related questions about the proposal’s eligibility rules for juveniles, including what qualifies as an eligible juvenile and whether youth who have insured parents would remain in or return to private coverage rather than being placed on Medicaid.
Mark Sauter — Representative Kaler asks whether failing to fund the proposal could jeopardize funding for other Medicaid services, then says he will support the motion but expresses concern about the state’s budget crisis. He argues that the bill would add more Medicaid costs during a difficult fiscal period and seeks further information about potential CMS penalties.
Josh Tanner — Representative Tanner is recognized and asks a question, then follows up by saying he was pursuing the same issue Mr. Kaler had raised, indicating he shares the concern and is continuing the discussion on that topic.
Josh Wheeler — Representative Wheeler moves to introduce RS 32849 and adds that Mr. Larson has likely heard the committee’s major concerns, indicating the matter should proceed to a full hearing.
Unidentified committee member — Asks why a waiver is needed if the program is mandated, then makes a joking remark about the question being difficult.
Mr. Chairman — Addressed in the question about the waiver requirement.
Tanya Burgoyne — Representative Burgoyne asks for clarification about the rule’s definitions section, referencing section 11 and noting she does not have the page number. She asks the speaker to elaborate on the point and confirms the specific section she is looking at.
Marco Erickson — Larson thanks Representative Erickson for working on the proposal.
Mr. Larson — Mr. Larson explains the bill’s waiver-related implementation and fiscal implications, noting the services were supposed to begin January 1, 2025, but the state is seeking waiver authority in good faith and could not begin until state fiscal year 2028 if funded. He says the proposal would affect IDOC, county jails, and county juvenile detention centers, and clarifies that an eligible juvenile is generally someone under 18 leaving a correctional facility. He adds that youth with private insurance would not be forced onto Medicaid, but the state could face Medicaid-related penalties for noncompliance, though he is unsure exactly how CMS would apply them. He also explains that, under the Eighth Amendment, the incarcerating entity generally bears the cost of medically necessary items, which may create some cost savings for counties and corrections agencies.
Director Dowell — Identified as present for questions at a future substantive hearing.
Megan Egbert — Representative Megan Egbert is recognized and moves to approve the minutes from Wednesday, January 28th, and Thursday, January 29th.
Megan Egbert — Representative Egbert asks how medically necessary screening or diagnostic services for incarcerated youth would be paid for if Medicaid did not cover them, and the response acknowledges it as a very good question.