MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Public Health and Welfare

By: Representative Mayo

AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO REVIEW THE RECORDS OF FAMILIES WHO RECEIVED TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE TO NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF) BENEFITS AFTER MARCH 12, 1997, AND HAVE SUBSEQUENTLY CEASED RECEIVING TANF BENEFITS, TO DETERMINE IF ANY OF THOSE FAMILIES HAVE CHILDREN WHO ARE STILL ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICAID BENEFITS; TO PROVIDE THAT IF THE DEPARTMENT DETERMINES THAT ANY FAMILY WHO HAS CEASED RECEIVING TANF BENEFITS HAS ANY CHILDREN WHO WERE AUTOMATICALLY TERMINATED FROM MEDICAID ASSISTANCE WHEN THE FAMILY'S TANF BENEFITS CEASED BUT WHO ARE STILL ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICAID ASSISTANCE, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL IMMEDIATELY REENROLL THOSE CHILDREN IN MEDICAID; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. The State Department of Human Services shall review the records of families who received Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) benefits after March 12, 1997, and have subsequently ceased receiving TANF benefits, to determine if any of those families have children who are still eligible for Medicaid benefits. If the department determines that any family who has ceased receiving TANF benefits has any children who were automatically terminated from Medicaid assistance when the family's TANF benefits ceased but who are still eligible for Medicaid assistance, the department shall immediately reenroll those children in Medicaid.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.