CHICAGO, Ill. – Responding to the threat to continued Medicaid coverage for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) resulting from new provisions included in HR 1, The Institute on Public Policy for People with Disabilities is pleased to announce the introduction of HB4784 (LaPointe)/SB3294 (Morrison): Prioritizing Medicaid Coverage for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. This legislation positions Illinois to be a national leader by assuring that people with IDD maintain continuous Medicaid coverage in order to access critical, lifesaving services and supports essential to their daily health and wellbeing.
“It is critical that we protect those with IDD from losing Medicaid while preserving this critical funding. No one who has already received a letter confirming their disability and awarded either Supplemental
Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) should be put at risk of losing this
life-saving funding every six months when the federal government has already confirmed their eligibility”
commented Senator Julie Morrison, the lead sponsor of SB3294.
“We must protect and prioritize individuals with IDD, their families and their caregivers from potentially
losing Medicaid, which is a lifeline to services. Our goal is to proactively establish a 5-year Medicaid
eligibility redetermination cycle for all people with IDD rather than subject some people to the onerous
proposed 6-month cycle as outlined in H.R. 1. This will ensure those already confirmed eligible through
a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) designation, will
continue to receive funding and services, with a review required earlier only if there is a change in
financial status” commented Rep. Lindsey LaPointe, the lead sponsor of HB4784.
Kathy Carmody, CEO of The Institute on Public Policy for People with Disabilities adds “Even under the
current annual redetermination cycle, there are many instances where an eligible person lapses in
Medicaid coverage, leaving them, their family and the community agencies that support them without
essential Medicaid resources.”
Currently people with IDD are required to prove continued eligibility for Medicaid every 12 months, despite there being no change in their disability or financial status. HR 1 introduces even more frequent eligibility redetermination and new employment verification requirements for some people with IDD, imposing unnecessary and burdensome requirements that create confusion and will undoubtedly lead to eligible people losing Medicaid benefits.
This bill establishes a 5-year redetermination cycle for people with IDD whose financial circumstances
do not change, ensuring that they, their families and the community agencies that support them maintain continuous access to critical Medicaid resources.
Kathy added how grateful the Institute is with legislators who are willing to prioritize people with IDD and their families by sponsoring this legislation, “We are so grateful to Senator Morrison and Representative LaPointe for proposing this common-sense, budget-neutral solution to the pending threat to Medicaid access facing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.”
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The Institute on Public Policy for People with Disabilities is a private sector non-profit organization focused exclusively on disability policy issues in Illinois. For nearly 3 decades, The Institute has been a trusted resource on issues and proposals impacting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Illinois. Our national perspective and statewide experience and exposure position The Institute as an insightful, innovative and respected voice in the Illinois disability policy arena.
