House Appropriations committee to fold H.558 school-based Medicaid changes into budget

Representative Emily Kornheiser of Brattleboro, chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, told the House Appropriations Committee on March 18 that H.558 would transfer administration of the school-based Medicaid services program from the Agency of Education to the Agency of Human Services to reduce paperwork and improve federal compliance.

"We're really excited about it because it means more money for the Agency of Human Services, more money for the Education Fund and likely much more money for districts and lowered administrative costs," Representative Emily Kornheiser said, summarizing the bill's goals.

Jen Harvey of the Office of Legislative Council walked the committee through the bill's structure, saying it adds provisions into Title 33 (Medicaid statutes), adjusts Title 16 (education statutes), and directs AHS to adopt rules identifying covered services and supervisory-union participation requirements. "The Agency of Human Services will have sole responsibility for determining and maintaining…