Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

H.B. 34 (2021GS)

Sponsor

Rep. Dunnigan, J.

Final action

Governor Signed 3/11/2021

Outcome

Became law — signed by Gov. Spencer J. Cox

Summary

What it does

• This bill:
• defines terms;
• requires the Department of Health to apply for a Medicaid waiver or state plan amendment to provide reimbursement to a facility that provides residential medical respite care to a homeless individual; and
• establishes a reporting requirement.

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

MEDICAL RESPITE CARE PILOT PROGRAM
GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: James A. Dunnigan
Senate Sponsor: 
Evan J. Vickers
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill requires the Department of Health to apply for a Medicaid waiver or state plan
amendment for medical respite care for homeless individuals.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
▸ defines terms;
▸ requires the Department of Health to apply for a Medicaid waiver or state plan
amendment to provide reimbursement to a facility that provides residential medical
respite care to a homeless individual; and
▸ establishes a reporting requirement.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Utah Code Sections Affected:
ENACTS:
26-18-424
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 
26-18-424
 is enacted to read:
 26-18-424.
Medicaid waiver for respite care facility that provides services to
homeless individuals.
(1) As used in this section:
(a) "Adult in the expansion population" means an adult:
(i) described in 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396a(a)(10)(A)(i)(VIII); and
(ii) not otherwise eligible for Medicaid as a mandatory categorically needy individual.
(b) "Homeless" means the same as that term is defined in Section 
26-18-411
.
(c) "Medical respite care" means short-term housing with supportive medical services.
(d) "Medical respite facility" means a residential facility that provides medical respite
care to homeless individuals.
(2) Before January 1, 2022, the department shall apply for a Medicaid waiver or state
plan amendment with CMS to choose a single medical respite facility to reimburse for services
provided to an individual who is:
(a) homeless; and
(b) an adult in the expansion population.
(3) The department shall choose a medical respite facility best able to serve homeless
individuals who are adults in the expansion population.
(4) If the waiver or state plan amendment described in Subsection (2) is approved,
while the waiver or state plan amendment is in effect, the department shall submit a report to
the Health and Human Services Interim Committee each year before November 30 detailing:
(a) the number of homeless individuals served at the facility;
(b) the cost of the program; and
(c) the reduction of health care costs due to the program's implementation.
(5) Through administrative rule made in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah
Administrative Rulemaking Act, the department shall further define and limit the services,
described in this section, provided to a homeless individual.