Technical changes to Department of Human Services programs make up the bulk of a new law signed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty May 11.
Sponsored by Rep. Thomas Huntley (DFL-Duluth) and Sen. Linda Berglin (DFL-Mpls), the law makes the following selected changes to current law:
• expands the availability of state grants awarded to community-based health care initiatives, modifies requirements for participation in these programs and extends the grants’ sunset date;
• removes a requirement that an infant under age 1 must reside in his or her mother’s household to receive coverage under Medical Assistance;
• exempts federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics from certain limitations on participation in Medical Assistance, General Assistance Medical Care and MinnesotaCare;
• modifies dental services covered by Medical Assistance, including adding coverage of medically necessary services for pregnant woman and orthodontia for children; and
• specifies that the department may not set income standards below those for July 2009 when updating eligibility requirements for Medical Assistance.
The law takes effect July 1, 2010.
HF3237/
SF3027*/CH310
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