H.R. 173 — Introduced in House

I 113th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 173 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 4, 2013 Mr. Gene Green of Texas introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce A BILL To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to require 12-month continuous coverage for children under Medicaid. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Ensuring Continuous Medicaid Coverage for Children Act of 2013. 2. Requirement of 12-month continuous coverage for children under Medicaid (a) In general Section 1902 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a) is amended— (1) in subsection (a)— (A) by striking and at the end of paragraph (74); (B) by striking and at the end of paragraph (82); (C) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (83) and inserting ; and; and (D) by inserting after paragraph (83) the following new paragraph: (84) meet the requirement of subsection (e)(12). ; and (2) in subsection (e)(12), by striking At the option of a State, the plan may and inserting The State plan under this title shall. (b) Effective date (1) In general Except as provided under paragraph (2), the amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect on October 1, 2013, and shall apply to individuals who were determined eligible for medical assistance before, on, or after such date. (2) Special rule for State legislation In the case of a State plan for medical assistance under title XIX of the Social Security Act which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) in order for the plan to meet the additional requirement imposed by the amendment made by this section, the State plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such title solely on the basis of its failure to meet that additional requirement before the later of the following dates: (A) The first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act. (B) October 1, 2013. For purposes of subparagraph (A), in the case of a State that has a 2-year legislative session, each year of such session shall be deemed to be a separate regular session of the State legislature.