Social Work Manpower and Training The bill authorizes $5 million for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1969, and $5 million for each of the 3 succeeding fiscal years for grants to public or nonprofit private colleges and universities and to accredited graduate schools of social work, or an association of such schools, to meet part of the costs of development, expansion, or improvement of undergraduate programs in social work and programs for the graduate training of professional social work personnel. Not less than one-half of the amount appropriated would have to be used for grants for undergraduate programs. B. TITLE XIX AMENDMENTS Coordination of Title XIX and the Supplementary Medical Insurance Program States would have until January 1, 1970 (rather than Jan. 1, 1968, as under present law), to buy-in title XVIII supplementary medical insurance for persons eligible for medicaid. Also, the bill would allow people who are eligible for medicaid but who do not receive cash assistance to be included in the group for which the State can purchase such coverage and would make persons who first go on the medicaid rolls after 1967 eligible to be bought in for. There would be no Federal matching toward the State's share of the premium in such cases. The bill would provide that Federal matching amounts would not be available to States for services which could have been covered under the supplementary medical insurance programs but were not. Modification of Comparability Provisions States would not have to include in medicaid coverage for recipients less than 65 years old the same items which the aged receive under the supplementary medical insurance program which is furnished to them under the buy-in provisions discussed above. Extent of Federal Financial Participation in State Administrative Expenses States would be able to get the same 75-percent Federal matching for physicians and other professional medical personnel working on the medicaid program in the State health agencies which they now get when such personnel work in the "single State agency," usually the public assistance agency. Under present law, the matching is 50 percent in such cases. Advisory Council on Medical Assistance An Advisory Council on Medical Assistance, consisting of 21 persons from outside the Government, would be established to advise the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare in matters of administration of the medicaid program. Free Choice for Persons eligible for Medicaid Effective July 1, 1969 (July 1, 1972, for Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam), people covered under the medicaid program would have free choice of qualified medical facilities and practitioners. Use of State Agencies To Assist Health Facilities To Participate in the Various Health Programs Under the Social Security Act States could receive 75-percent Federal matching for the services which State health agencies perform in helping health facilities to qualify for participation in the various health programs under the Social Security Act (including medicare, medicaid, and the child health programs) and to improve their fiscal records for payment purposes. Similar provisions in the medicare program (which finances such services on a 100-percent basis from the Federal hospital insurance trust fund) would be repealed effective July 1, 1969, when this provision would go into effect. Payments for Services and Care by a Third Party States would have to take steps to assure that the medical expenses of a person covered under the medicaid program, which a third party had a legal obligation to pay, would not be paid or if liability is later determined that steps will be taken to secure reimbursement. III. CHILD HEALTH AMENDMENTS Consolidation of Earmarked Authorizations In place of a number of separate earmarked authorizations in present law, the bill consolidates all authorizations into one single authorization with three broad categories. Additional Requirements on the States Under the Formula Grant Program The bill requires that State plans provide for the early identification and treatment of crippled children. Title XIX is amended to conform to this requirement. The States must also devote special attention to family planning services and dental care for children in the development of demonstration services. Project Grants Until July 1972, the bill authorizes project grants (1) to help reduce the incidence of mental retardation and other handicapping conditions caused by complications associated with childbearing, and to help reduce infant and maternal mortality; (2) to promote the health of children and youth of school and preschool age; and (3) to provide dental care and services to children. Beginning July 1972, responsibility for these projects will be transferred to the States. The fiscal year 1968 authorization for maternity and infant care. special projects grants would be increased from $30 to $35 million. Limitation on Federal Matching for Puerto Rico, Guam, and Virgin Islands The dollar limit for Federal financial participation in public assistance for Puerto Rico would be raised from the present $9.8 million to $12.5 million for 1968, $15 million for 1969, $18 million for 1970, $21 million for 1971 and $24 million for 1972 and thereafter. Up to an additional $2 million could be certified for family planning services and expenses to support work incentive programs. Under medicaid an overall dollar limit of $20 million would be imposed (in lieu of the limitation made applicable to the States by the bill) and the ratio of Federal matching would be changed from 55 percent to 50 percent. Proportionate increases in the dollar maximums for Guam and the Virgin Islands would be made. |