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Panel advances bill to codify working-people-with-disabilities program and adopts data-sharing amendment
Summary
The subcommittee reported HB 915 favorably after adopting an amendment requiring AHCA to share Medicaid and HCBS enrollment data with DCF. Sponsors and advocates said the bill would codify a program allowing waiver recipients to work while retaining Medicaid benefits and address recurring renewal and enrollment problems.
The Florida House Human Services Subcommittee advanced HB 915 on Tuesday, a bill by Representative Tant to codify the Working People with Disabilities program at the Department of Children and Families and to require clearer enrollment and notice procedures for eligible waiver recipients.
Representative Tant told the committee the program, created in proviso in 2018, allows people on Medicaid waivers to keep Medicaid eligibility while working. "It allows people with disabilities who are on Med waiver and other waiver clients to maintain Medicaid eligibility, for while also, working and earning an income," the sponsor said.
Committee members pressed the sponsor on limits and implementation. Representative Gonzales Pittman asked whether the bill sets an earnings cap; Tant said the bill does not set a limit and federal rules and other program rules govern retirement-account and asset rules. The bill’s text references eligibility caps tied to "550% of the federal benefit rate," and the sponsor said DCF must provide notice to enrollees, a contact name, and information on special-needs trusts within 90 days of enactment.
Members adopted Amendment Barcode 396009, explained on the floor as a requirement that the Agency for Health Care Administration share Medicaid and home- and community-based services enrollment information with DCF so the departments can identify who is working and who is receiving SSI. The amendment was adopted by voice vote before the final committee roll call.
Several advocates described practical problems the bill is meant to address. Amanda Baker, a lifelong recipient of APD waiver services, said she had to argue repeatedly during redetermination and that many waiver recipients lose Medicaid for months because DCF staff were unfamiliar with the proviso language. "It allows me to work and have a career," Baker said, arguing the change is vital to keep services while working.
Laura Minutelo of Disability Rights Florida told the committee that although the program exists in proviso, staff frequently do not recognize it during redetermination and that codification will reduce disenrollment. She also described the bill’s income and asset clarifications, including the reference to 550% of the federal benefit rate and the agency’s discretion to disregard assets and provide guidance on special-needs trusts.
Sarah Goldman, who said she was born with cerebral palsy and uses Medicaid home- and community-based services to live independently and work full time, urged passage and said annual redetermination has resulted in inappropriate disenrollment for many people with disabilities. "We've seen thousands of individuals with disabilities being kicked off Medicaid when there is no change in their income, their job, or their disability," she said.
After debate and closing remarks by the sponsor, the committee voted 16-0 to report HB 915 favorably, with the amendment attached. The measure advances to subsequent committee consideration with the adopted data-sharing requirement intended to improve DCF's ability to identify eligible participants and reduce improper disenrollments.
Next steps: HB 915 was reported favorably and will proceed with the amendment that requires interagency information sharing and specified notice and enrollment provisions.
