It is the intent of the general assembly to continue to meet the goal established in 1993 pursuant to § 42-12.3-2 to ensure access to comprehensive health care by providing or creating access to health insurance to all Rhode Islanders who are uninsured. Over the course of several years, health insurance through the RIte Care program has been extended to pregnant women and children living in families whose income is less than two hundred fifty percent (250%) of the federal poverty level. Many of the parents of these children are uninsured and without the means to purchase health insurance. Federal funds are available to help pay for health insurance for low-income families through the medical assistance program under § 1931 of Title XIX of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1396u-1, which de-links medical assistance from cash assistance and allows for expanded income and resource methodologies. It is the intent of the general assembly, therefore, to implement § 1931 of Title XIX of the Social Security Act and, in addition, to provide expanded access to health insurance for eligible families. Federal funds for some children and pregnant women may also be available under Title XXI of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1397aa et seq., and it is further the intent of the general assembly to access these funds as appropriate and as authorized in accordance with the legal authority provided by the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (CHIPRA), and Title XXI of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1397aa et seq.
History of Section.
P.L. 1998, ch. 31, art. 33, § 1; P.L. 2009, ch. 68, art. 23, § 4; P.L. 2020, ch. 79, art. 1, § 31.