Proposed DRA Amendments to
be heard in Assembly Health Committee

The Department of Health Care Services’ proposed amendments to implement the Medicaid provisions of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 have been included in SB 483 (Kuehl), and the bill is tentatively scheduled to be heard in the Assembly Health Committee on June 10, 2008. The amendments include the major provisions of concern to long term care advocates, including the revised look back period, transfer of assets, home equity rules, hardship provisions, treatment of annuities and income first rules. A copy of the proposed amendents can be downloaded here.

As this is only the first round of hearings, SB 483 may be revised as it goes through the legislative process. To track the progress of the bill, see: http://leginfo.ca.gov/

The bill includes language to ensure that none of the provisions will be effective until final, non–emergency regulations are filed with the Secretary of State, which could be two years or more. Until the regulations are final, the current eligibility rules apply.