MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Public Health and Welfare; Appropriations

By: Representatives Holland, Bailey, Banks, Barnett (116th), Barnett (92nd), Blackmon, Bourdeaux, Bowles, Bozeman, Broomfield, Brown, Cameron, Capps, Chaney, Clark, Clarke, Coleman (29th), Comans, Cummings, Davis, Dedeaux, Dickson, Eaton, Ellis, Ellzey, Endt, Evans, Flaggs, Foster, Franks, Fredericks, Frierson, Gadd, Gibbs, Green (34th), Green (96th), Grist, Guice, Hamilton, Henderson (26th), Henderson (9th), Holden, Horne, Huddleston, Hudson, Ishee, Janus, Jennings, King, Livingston, Malone, Manning, Maples, Markham, Martinson, McBride, McCoy, McElwain, McInnis, Middleton, Miles, Miller, Mitchell, Moak, Moody, Moore, Moss, Myers, Nettles, Peranich, Perkins, Perry, Read, Reeves, Reynolds, Roberson, Robertson, Robinson (63rd), Robinson (84th), Rogers, Rotenberry, Ryan, Scott (17th), Scott (80th), Shows, Simmons, Simpson, Smith (27th), Smith (39th), Smith (59th), Stevens, Straughter, Taylor, Thomas, Thornton, Vince, Walker, Wallace, Warren, Watson, Weathersby, Wells-Smith, West, Woods, Young

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 41-86-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT CHILDREN WHOSE FAMILY INCOMES DO NOT EXCEED 200% OF THE POVERTY LEVEL WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE CHILDREN'S HEALTH CARE PROGRAM; TO CODIFY SECTION 41-86-19, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE FOR A CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM ENROLLMENT OUTREACH INITIATIVE IN THE DIVISION OF MEDICAID; TO CODIFY SECTION 41-86-21, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ESTABLISH AND EMPOWER A C.H.I.P. ADVISORY BOARD AND A JOINT LEGISLATIVE C.H.I.P. ADVISORY COMMITTEE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 41-86-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

41-86-5. As used in Sections 41-86-5 through 41-86-17, the following definitions shall have the meanings ascribed in this section, unless the context indicates otherwise:

(a) "Act" means the Mississippi Children's Health Care Act.

(b) "Administering agency" means the agency designated by the Mississippi Children's Health Insurance Program Commission to administer the program.

(c) "Board" means the State and Public School Employees Health Insurance Management Board created under Section 25-15-303.

(d) "Child" means an individual who is under nineteen (19) years of age who is not eligible for Medicaid benefits and is not covered by other health insurance.

(e) "Commission" means the Mississippi Children's Health Insurance Program Commission created by Section 41-86-7.

(f) "Covered benefits" means the types of health care benefits and services provided to eligible recipients

under the Children's Health Care Program.

(g) "Division" means the Division of Medicaid in the Office of the Governor.

(h) "Low-income child" means a child whose family income does not exceed two hundred percent (200%) of the poverty level for a family of the size involved.

(i) "Plan" means the State Child Health Plan.

(j) "Program" means the Children's Health Care Program established by Sections 41-86-5 through 41-86-17.

(k) "Recipient" means a person who is eligible for assistance under the program.

(l) "State Child Health Plan" means the permanent plan that sets forth the manner and means by which the State of Mississippi will provide health care assistance to eligible uninsured, low-income children consistent with the provisions of Title XXI of the federal Social Security Act, as amended.

SECTION 2. The following provision shall be codified as Section 41-86-19, Mississippi Code of 1972:

41-86-19. The Division of Medicaid shall develop a Children's Health Insurance Program enrollment outreach initiative in cooperation with the State Department of Education's federal free and reduced lunch program, the State Department of Health, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Finance and Administration, community health centers, the Mississippi State Medical Association, the Mississippi State Hospital Association, other health provider associations and community action agencies/Headstart centers. The enrollment outreach initiative shall be the responsibility of the C.H.I.P. Information Coordinator within the Division of Medicaid. The Division of Medicaid is authorized to maintain a statewide in-coming wide area telephone service for the purpose of providing information for and encouraging Children's Health Insurance Program enrollment.

SECTION 3. The following provision shall be codified as Section 41-86-21, Mississippi Code of 1972:

41-86-21. (1) There is hereby established a C.H.I.P. Advisory Board to advise the State and Public School Employees Health Insurance Management Board relative to the Children's Health Insurance Program. The C.H.I.P. Advisory Board shall be composed of the Executive Director of the Mississippi State Department of Health, the Executive Director of the Division of Medicaid, Office of the Governor, one (1) member of the State and Public School Employees' Health Insurance Management Board to be appointed by the chairman of the board, and two (2) health care providers of services to children appointed by the Governor for terms concurrent with that of the Governor. For attending meetings of the C.H.I.P. Advisory Board, those members who are not state officials or state employees shall receive the per diem authorized under Section 25-3-69 and shall receive expense reimbursement as authorized under Section 25-3-41.

(2) There is hereby established a Joint C.H.I.P. Advisory Committee to meet with the C.H.I.P. Advisory Board and advise the State and Public School Employees Health Insurance Management Board relative to the Children's Health Insurance Program. The Joint C.H.I.P. Advisory Committee shall be composed of the Chairman of the House Public Health and Welfare Committee, the Chairman of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, one (1) member of the Senate appointed by the Lieutenant Governor to serve at the will and pleasure of the Lieutenant Governor, and one (1) member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House to serve at the will and pleasure of the Speaker. The committee shall meet upon the call of the Chairman of the C.H.I.P. Advisory Board. The appointing authorities may designate an alternate member from their respective houses to serve when the regular designee is unable to attend such meetings of the committee. For attending meetings of the Joint C.H.I.P. Advisory Committee, such legislators shall receive per diem and expenses which shall be paid from the contingent expense funds of their respective houses in the same amounts as provided for committee meetings when the Legislature is not in session; however, no per diem and expenses for attending meetings of the committee will be paid while the Legislature is in session.

SECTION 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.